RAIDERS may have spent hours searching for cash in a rural post office as weekend revellers passed by a few feet away.

Police said a handful of people who were thought to have been walking past the post office in Galgate, Barnard Castle, in the early hours of Sunday may have vital clues to the burglary.

An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen when a team of raiders used cutting equipment to breach the building's security systems.

Detectives believe they spent some time in the premises before escaping with their haul.

The raid was discovered by the couple who run the post office when they arrived yesterday morning from their home, which is believed to be in Darlington.

They raced to a nearby caf to alert police. Post office customers who arrived to collect pensions and other benefits were turned away and the building was closed all day.

A neighbour said: "Some of them were very upset. They had hoped to collect money for Christmas, but they don't know when it will open again."

Detective Sergeant Sean Jackson, of Bishop Auckland police, said the thieves' sole interest appeared to be the cash which was kept under lock and key.

He said: "A handful of men are believed to have been in the Galgate area around 3am.

"They may have spotted lights inside the post office; they may have seen a vehicle parked outside, and they may have seen people acting suspiciously. We would like to talk to them as a matter of urgency."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01833) 637328, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.