ARMED robbers made off with thousands of pounds and put a man in hospital after a raid on a garage in Ongar this morning (Monday).

Police were called just after 7am to the BP garage off the Four Wantz roundabout by a 26-year-old station attendant who had been tied up by the attackers.

Two men in their 20s wearing hooded tops, and with their faces covered, entered the shop at 6am before following the attendant into an office where they forced him to open the safe.

The robbers knocked the man unconscious and one of the robbers is believed to have struck him over the head with a gun.

They tied him up before escaping from the garage on foot with the money but he eventually managed to phone for help.

Darren Chaplin, 40, lives in Fyfield Road.

His 6-year-old daughter, whose bedroom overlooks the garage, heard the robbery take place and witnessed the aftermath.

Mr Chaplin said: “She came in to us this morning and said that she had seen a man at the garage being taken away with both of his arms bandaged up.”

“She also said she heard men’s voices arguing and a woman screaming.

“It is quite scary. If they had been disturbed half way through you do not know where they could have gone. The kids play down the alley and they could have tried to escape down there.”

Rory Hannel, 14, lives in Walter Mead Close.

He said: “I was just getting up I heard the voices of two men. One man was shouting at the other man.

“I also heard a woman screaming.”

Ged Heffernan, 45, also of Walter Mead Close, said: “I am shocked it has taken place at the time of the morning. It is usually quite busy then with cars and lorries queuing for petrol.”

Police urgently need to speak to anyone who was in the area this morning and may have seen the two men hanging around the garage, or who know where they went after the robbery.

The member of staff has been taken to hospital for treatment.

Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Paul Davis, said: "We are now in the process of examining CCTV and have got some good images so are hopeful of making swift progress in identifying these two men. However, we would urge any motorists or nearby residents who saw these two men in the area between 6.45-7.15am to contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call detectives at the serious crime team in Harlow on 0300 333 4444 or 101, or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

• Did you see the attack? Call the newsdesk on 01992 563 123.