MASKED robbers escaped with only a handful of cash after raiding a village post office shortly after a money delivery.

The robbers, wearing masks and dark clothing and wielding baseball bats, burst into the building at Bearpark, near Durham City, at lunch time on Friday in pursuit of a big haul.

They smashed a glass security screen by hurling a drain cover at it and then jumped over the counter.

But after rifling through bags and other property they left with only a small cash sum because the delivered money was locked in the safe.

The middle-aged postmaster, who threw himself to the floor when the raiders struck, was shocked but unhurt. His wife was at the back of the building.

The raiders fled in a black Nissan SX, which they reversed down Auton Stile - forcing cars to swerve - before turning into Field View Terrace and on to a track leading to Ushaw Moor.

There they set fire to the car, which was stolen from Trimdon Station in April.

Det Insp Andy Reddick said he believed the raiders had been waiting for the cash delivery before striking at about 12.20pm.

He urged anyone who saw people acting suspiciously in the village to get in touch.

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham City police on (0191) 386 4222, or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.

l Police later said two men had been arrested. One has been charged with robbery and the other was bailed pending further inquiries.