A MAN has spoken of his terror after a knife-wielding burglar stormed into his home and demanded cash.

Shaun Smith, 49, has been left shaken and upset after he was threatened at knifepoint in his own home, in Ballards Walk, Laindon, at about 8.50pm on Monday.

He opened the door to two raiders, thinking his boyfriend had arrived to visit.

One of the armed burglars had his hood up and a piece of material covering his mouth. The other was holding a 3ins pen knife.

While the masked man waited at the door to keep lookout, the armed robber strode inside and threatened to stab Mr Smith unless he handed over cash and the contents of his safe.

Mr Smith opened his safe and handed over a hard drive - containing irreplaceable pictures of his late mother - as well as £120 and his phone.

Mr Smith, who hit the headlines earlier this year for spending £5,000 transforming his flat into a tribute to Eastenders’ character Ben Mitchell, said: “At one point he came towards me with the knife, I just kept looking at the knife – I was terrified. I just gave him what he wanted

“All I can remember is that he was tall and slim and had a ginger goatee beard.

“I have been tearful all morning, I am scared and frightened. I don’t want to live in this flat anymore.

“Losing the hard drive with pictures of my mum is what is hurting me the most. Now I have lost all those photos.”

There were two other friends in the flat at the time of the aggravated burglary, who were uninjured.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police received reports of a burglary at an address in Basildon at around 8.50pm on Monday.

“A 49-year-old man reported that two men forced their way into the property and threatened him with a knife.

“Suspects then fled the scene with computer equipment, personal documents, a mobile phone and a small amount of cash. The victim was uninjured during the incident.”

Anyone with information can to call Basildon CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.