A THREE-MAN gang escaped with several thousand pounds from the safe of a village post office in a well-planned raid.

Detectives last night appealed for information to help them trace the gang who struck at Kelloe, near Durham City, shortly after closing time on Thursday.

Two of the robbers, who wore dark clothing and balaclava hats, were dropped outside the Front Street premises by a third man who drove a green Volkswagen Polo car.

They tore down security bars at the front of the building and used a rock to shatter a window to get behind the counter.

They then brushed aside a female counter assistant, who was working alone in the premises, before helping themselves to the contents of the safe.

They grabbed bank notes from the safe, stuffing them into a hold-all, before escaping back through the broken window.

The female member of staff was badly shaken, but otherwise unhurt during the ordeal.

Both intruders and their accomplice fled in the car towards Coxhoe, but left the main road and headed down a side track towards East House Farm, less than a mile from the scene of the raid.

Police said they abandoned the Golf, which was found ablaze minutes later, about 500 yards beyond the farm.

Acting Detective Inspector Eric Malkin, of Durham City CID, said the gang may have carried out a dry run in the days before the raid.

He is anxious to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the robbery, or who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously either in the vicinity of the post office, or the farm, during the past week.

"It was an effective raid which clearly appears to have been planned in advance," said Acting Det Insp Malkin.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Durham CID, on 0191-386 4222.

Alternatively, they can contact the Crimestoppers' hotline, anonymously, on (0800) 555111