A KNIFE-WIELDING man has made off with a large amount of cash after robbing a County Durham post office.

The armed robbery took place at the premises on Mickle Grove, in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, at about 11am on Tuesday.

Wearing a balaclava, the man walked into the post office where he threatened the cashier with a knife and demanded cash.

A large quantity of money was handed over and the man fled in the direction of Hambleton Road.

A spokesperson for Durham Police said the cashier, although unhurt, was left very shaken.

DC Gareth Hodgson, of Bishop Auckland CID, said: “Clearly this was a very distressing incident for the cashier involved and a large amount of cash has been taken.

"With this in mind I would urge anyone with information to contact police urgently.

“Fortunately incidents of this nature are rare in our force area and we are currently carrying out a number of lines of inquiry aimed at bringing the person responsible to justice.”

Anyone with information should contact police on non-emergency 101 and quote incident number 0146 of August 23.