A MASKED thug hit a shop assistant with a hammer as he, and an accomplice, held up the Co-op in Gardner Avenue, Corringham, last night.

The two culprits, believed to be teenagers, forced a staff member to hand over the till by lashing out with a hammer, leaving the worker with minor head injuries.

The robbers then ran off in the direction of Southend Road at about 9.45pm. 

Officers searched for the suspects in the aftermath and the helicopter and dog unit were dispatched, but found no trace.

Inquiries continue in a bid to locate the suspects described as wearing dark tracksuits with their faces covered. One is described as black, slim and tall. The other is white.

Police are linking the robbery with a similar incident which happened at 7.45pm at Post Office at Hathaway Road, Grays.

A black man, believed to be in his early 20s threatened staff with a hammer before running off in the direction of Wallace Road, empty-handed.

The suspect was around 6ft tall, wearing dark clothing and had a scarf covering his face.

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