A MAN has admitted carrying out an armed robbery at a Darlington post office.

Thomas Hurman, of Rockwell Avenue, Darlington, appeared at Teesside Crown Court via videolink from Durham prison to plead guilty to robbery and possession of a firearm.

A thief armed with what witnesses described as a handgun made off with cash and cigarettes from Blackwell Post Office on February 16, at 5.45 am in the morning.

Hurman, 24, threatened staff before escaping with his stolen goods.

He was remanded in custody by Judge Sarah Mallett and will be sentenced on April 30.

Members of staff in the post office and corner shop, on Carmel Road South, were uninjured in the incident, but were said to have been left shaken.