FOUR men have been convicted of an attempted post office robbery that ended with an off-duty policeman being threatened.

PC Phillip Clapham pursued the three masked men he saw fleeing from the Shotton Colliery Post Office, County Durham, on June 10, last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the raiders, armed with a handgun and a claw hammer, demanded money.

But staff pressed panic buttons, activating the alarms, and the raiders fled.

PC Clapham was in a nearby shop but went to the post office when he realised what was happening.

Paul Sherrington, Ian Hart, George Appleby and Russell Snowdon were arrested soon after the raid. After five hours' deliberation, a jury convicted all four of attempted robbery.

Sherrington, Hart and Appleby were also convicted of possessing an imitation firearm.

Snowdon, who the prosecution said was the lookout, was cleared of the firearms charge. The raid happened as a post office van delivered bags of 2p coins and stationery. A delivery of £30,000 had been due but was cancelled the day before.

Hart, 31, of Goodyear Crescent, Durham, Snowdon, 29, of Holly Park, Ushaw Moor, George Appleby, 48, of Gilesgate, Durham, and Paul Sherrington, 37, of Millbrook, Gateshead, denied the charges.

After the guilty verdicts were delivered, the court heard that all four men had a string of previous convictions for offences including violence and dishonesty.

They will be sentenced by Judge David Hodson today.