FOUR men convicted of an attempted armed robbery, in which a policeman was threatened with an imitation gun, have been jailed.

PC Phillip Clapham gave chase when he saw Paul Sherrington, Ian Hart, and George Appleby fleeing the Shotton Colliery Post Office after a bungled raid on June 10, last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the masked trio had demanded money after bursting into the premises armed with an imitation handgun and a claw hammer.

Frightened staff pressed the panic buttons and the alarms were activated - forcing the robbers to flee empty-handed.

PC Clapham had been in a nearby shop, but headed to the post office when he realised what was going on and gave chase.

The court heard that one of the raiders pointed a gun at him while being urged by another gang member to shoot.

Judge David Hodson, who praised PC Clapham, jailed Appleby for 12 years, Hart - who he said was the 'prime mover' in the raid - for 14 years, and Sherrington for ten years for the raid, plus two years outstanding from a previous sentence.

Russell Snowdon, who acted as the gang's lookout but was unaware a gun was to be used, was jailed for eight years.

Amanda Rippon, prosecuting, told the court how £30,000 in cash had been due to be delivered to the post office on the day of the raid but had been cancelled just the day before.

When the raid took place, a post office van was delivering bags of 2p pieces and some stationery.

Ian Hart, 31, of Goodyear Crescent, Sherburn Road Estate, Durham, Russell Snowdon, 29, of Holly Park, Ushaw Moor, George Appleby, 48, of Gilesgate, Durham, and Paul Sherrington, 37, of Millbrook, Gateshead, all denied attempted robbery but were found guilty by a jury after a trial.

Hart, Appleby and Sherrington were also found guilty of possessing an imitation firearm at the time of committing an offence.

Snowdon was cleared of the firearms charge.

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.

After the trial, Det Insp Eric Malkin said: "These are excellent sentences which have been given out, obviously these are very dangerous individuals."

He said he totally agreed with the judge's commendation for PC Phil Clapham.

He said: "PC Clapham was very brave and selfless in giving pursuit to these dangerous men and showed great commonsense when threatened with the gun."