TWO men have been charged after a £20,000 armed robbery in which a shot was fired.

James Henry Mansbridge, 40, and Paul Alan Jones, 36, both from Dagenham, have been charged after an armed robbery at the Vanas Pharmacy and Post Office in Rectory Road, Pitsea, yesterday.

They were charged with robbery and possessing an offensive weapon and remanded in custody to appear before Basildon Magistrates this morning.

Officers were called to the Post Office at 12.20pm following reports that a security driver had been threatened in the store while making a delivery.

A shot was discharged from a live weapon and a security box containing in excess of £20,000 was taken.

Nobody was injured but the security staff and witnesses were left shocked after the incident.

The suspects left the scene in a black Vauxhall Astra.

The security box has been recovered but police would still like to speak to anyone who may have seen the Astra, registration SH53 YYG.

The vehicle, which has been recovered, may have been displaying the false plates W61 TCE.

Detectives would like to speak to anyone who may have any information about the robbery, especially if they saw any suspicious activity in the area around the store before and after the incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101.

People can also give information to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org