A SHOCKED family today spoke of their terrifying ordeal as ram-raiders tried to smash their way into a village store near Selby.

The raid on Carlton Post Office was the seventh in the last two years, and owner Gurdeep Singh said: "It's happening too many times but, unfortunately, it's part of living in England today."

The raiders struck at 3am yesterday, reversing a four-wheel drive vehicle into the large front window of the shop and post office, in High Street.

The four raiders had a steel cable with them, which Mr Singh believes they were going to use to uproot an ATM cash machine inside the store and drag it out.

Mr Singh, 48, and his wife, Jaswant, 47, were asleep upstairs, with their three sons, Hardeep, 22, Bharat, 21, and Dharan, 15, and Mr Singh's mother, Furjit, 74, in adjoining bedrooms when the intruders struck.

Mr Singh said: "We heard this loud bang and then the alarm went off. We looked out of the window and saw four men, two of whom were wearing balaclavas.

"One of them was at the wheel of the car, one was standing outside the shop and the other two were trying to get in.

"We shouted and screamed at them but it made no difference. They just carried on trying to break in, but they couldn't get inside because of the steel grilles we have fitted.

"It was about four minutes before they finally gave in. It was the longest four minutes of our lives.

"When we had a look around later we found they had left pieces of wood with nails in behind our vehicles parked at the back to stop us following them."

Mr Singh said the burglars had caused damage estimated at about £5,000.

He said: "It was a terrifying experience, especially for my mother, who is 74, but we are determined to stay here. We are part of the community."

Police believe that the raid could have been carried out by the same gang which targeted the Costcutter store, in Riccall, and the Londis store, in Camblesforth, earlier this year.

A police spokesman said the 4x4 vehicle was similar to a grey Mitsubishi Shogun.

Anyone with information should contact Selby police on 01757 702596.

Updated: 12:41 Wednesday, July 09, 2003