POLICE investigating an attempted robbery at a village post office hope to trace and identify a man seen nearby a short time earlier.

A man, whose face was covered with a dust mask, entered the office in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, armed with a handgun and asked the postmaster for money, on Tuesday October 6.

The demand was refused and the man then produced a carrier bag and asked the postmaster a second time, saying: "Put the money in the bag, please."

But, after this request was also turned down, the would-be robber walked out empty-handed onto the street, Arbroath, just off Ouston Lane, the main road through the village.

The raid took place at around 3pm when a number of people were believed to have been in the vicinity, including parents on their way to collect children from nearby schools.

Detectives investigating the incident are keen to identify a man seen earlier in the day on a security camera a short distance from the post office.

"We’re keen to trace and speak to this man and hope he’ll come forward," said Detective Sergeant Amanda Henderson, who is in charge of the investigation.

"If any members of the public recognise him from this image we would ask them to contact us so we can progress our inquiries."

The man on the cctv image, who was wearing a light-coloured anorak, appeared to be stocky, with brown hair, going grey at the sides.

He is thought in either his thirties or forties.

Anyone with information should ring Durham Police, on 0345-60 60 365, or Chester-le-Street CID, on 0191-375 2356.

Anonymous calls can be made via the Crimestoppers freephone line, on (0800) 555111.