A “strange sequence of events” took place this week when a pub in Great Bardfield was targeted by a drive-by egger who returned to the scene of the crime.

The landlady of the Bell Inn, Sharon Alford, 46, was sitting in the pub on Monday (January 2) at around 9.15pm with her friend, when a blue Ford Focus drove up to the pub on the other side of the road.

Sharon got a look at the two men in the car, but before she knew what was happening an egg had hit the window – and the car had driven off.

She thought little of it, until around an hour later, at 10.30pm, she noticed the same car driving back the way it had come, and jumped up to get a record of the number plate.

Although the car had slowed down, they did not get another chance to throw an egg as Sharon had scared them off.

She said: “It was a very strange sequence of events, and it was quite intimidating that someone would come back again, it wasn’t very nice.

“I don’t understand why, I didn’t recognise them and they have been never been in the pub. In the six months I have been here, this must be the safest place in whole UK – I have not come close to considering barring anybody, there has been no ruckus or madness.

“I moved here because it was safe, I don’t need to be scared in my own business, let alone my own home, I just don’t want to think about them coming back. If they hadn’t have come back then it wouldn’t be half as scary.

“But because I had a good look at them I think I have made them look like a couple of muppets.”

As Sharon did not feel safe that night, a friend stayed with her.

The Bell Inn changed hands on June 17 last year.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police were contacted at 10.55pm on January 2 with reports the driver of a Ford Focus had thrown an egg at a window of The Bell Inn, in Dunmow Road, Great Bardfield.

“No damage was caused.”

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.