POLICE investigating a raid on a rural post office which netted thieves thousands of pounds worth of cash and travellers cheques have made two arrests.

Thieves used cutting equipment in the raid on Barnard Castle post office, County Durham, in December.

They made off with a substantial amount of cash and travellers cheques in sterling and foreign currency.

Police investigating the theft arrested a man and woman after information led them to the South Shields area, in South Tyneside.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested and charged with handling £2,942 worth of stolen travellers cheques in Canadian dollars.

The man, who is due to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court, has also been charged by police with obtaining property by deception.

A 21-year-old woman arrested by police was released without charge, although inquiries are continuing.

A police spokesman said they anticipated making further arrests.