ARMED robbers escaped with thousands of pounds in a raid on a village post office yesterday.

The pair, one brandishing a firearm, burst into the branch at Dipton, near Stanley, County Durham, shortly before 11am.

They got into the post office's secure area and helped themselves to cash.

No shots were fired and no-one was hurt. Two female staff members and an elderly couple who were in collecting their pensions were shaken by the incident.

The raiders, who were wearing balaclava masks and navy blue tops and trousers, escaped in a dark blue, L-registration Ford Mondeo.

The car had been stolen from the car park of the High Crown pub, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, between noon and 5pm on Monday.

It was found abandoned half a mile from Dipton, near the Grey Horse pub, in Flint Hill.

Detective Sergeant Vic Deanes said a silver Peugeot 206 was seen in the area travelling towards Sunniside, Gateshead, shortly after the raid.

He urged the occupants to come forward so they could be eliminated from inquiries.

Police also want to hear from anyone who has seen men acting suspiciously outside the pub recently.

They also want anyone with information about the Mondeo or the Peugeot to come forward.

They can be contacted on (01207) 232114 or people can call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

On Thursday, raiders escaped with £40,000 from the post office at Cheveley Park, Belmont, on the outskirts of Durham City.

It was carried out by three robbers armed with two handguns and two baseball bats. They escaped in a car driven by a fourth man. No-one was hurt.

It is not known if there is a link between the robberies.