VILLAGERS have been rewarded after being hailed “Yorkshire’s finest” for their bravery in stopping two armed robbers intent on raiding a Post Office.

The High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Charles Forbes Adam, handed out public rewards to three men who foiled a robbery at Hinderwell near Whitby.

The two men chased the masked raiders as they fled from the village Post Office where they had tried to rob postmaster Mike Bunn and his wife Christine.

Joseph Crosby and Andrew David Waldron raided the Post Office on August 11 last year, when Waldron, 22, pointed an imitation P17 air pistol at the face of postmaster Mr Bunn, while Crosby demanded the shopkeepers filled a bag with cash.

Even though he believed the gun was real, the postmaster grabbed a pickaxe handle and waved it at the duo, who fled empty-handed.

As they ran, the balaclava-clad robbers were pursued by a passing motorist John McDonagh and local postman Simon McCluskey, who was on his post round. Farmer Tom Harland jumped from his combine harvester to help restrain Crosby.

His accomplice, Waldron, was found hiding in the bushes by villager Carl Schofield, who held him down until police arrived.

As a result of the men’s actions, the ringleader, Crosby, of Hebron Road, Stokesley was found guilty of robbery and possessing an imitation firearm. He was jailed for 11 years.

Waldron, of no fixed address, was jailed for six years. He pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm during a crime and attempted robbery.

At the time the court heard the robbers had deliberately targeted the Post Office and timed their raid to when they thought postmistress Christine Bunn would be on her own.

Mr and Mrs Bunn have since retired from the business.

Following the trial at York Crown Court, Judge Paul Batty QC, Recorder of York, commended the men who apprehended the duo and put them forward for the bravery award from the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire.

He said at the time: "This case demonstrates Yorkshire's finest. Acts of extreme valour were done on this day by various members of the public and indeed Mr Bunn himself.”

The group were among a dozen members of the public to be honoured in a ceremony at York Crown Court, where they were hailed for their heroism.

The ceremony was attended by Mr Batty, the High Sheriff Mr Forbes-Adam, representatives from court staff, barristers, senior police and the men’s families. They received £500 each from public funds.