A Post Office worker has been left "traumatised" after armed robbers cleared out her shop.

Shortly before 1pm yesterday (January 2) two men entered the Post Office at the bottom of Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill.

Shouting at the two members of staff inside, one of the men leapt over the counter and demanded cash while brandishing a hammer.

The other then began filling a bag with notes.

They both ran off in the direction of the railway underpass into Lower Queens Road.

Speaking from his closed shop as auditors worked out how much damage had been done, Golam Sarwar said: "They took the cash from the till and the foreign currency.

"We are working out how much now, but it is probably around £1,000.

"It happened so quickly. They were in and out in about 1 minute and 35 seconds. They took everything and went.

"I have run the Post Office for four years. It is the first time something like this has happened."

Although Mr Sarwar was not in the shop at the time, his wife and a male colleague were.

He added: "They are very shocked. It was my wife. She is traumatised.

"She has been shaken up very badly. She is with family members while I try and help here.

"I am very proud of her. She handled it really well."

The men are described as being white, were wearing tracksuits with the hoods up and one wore a scarf across his face.

Anyone with information is asked to call Loughton CID quoting crime reference 42/793/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.