A POSTMASTER who endured a terrifying armed robbery was today praised for his bravery by police and Post Office officials.

Stephen Mackinnon, 58, owner of Rufforth village shop and post office, kept his cool when two men wielding a knife and a sledgehammer burst into his shop and demanded cash.

One of the balaclava-clad robbers smashed the post office security screen with the sledgehammer as Mr Mackinnon stood behind it.

He let them in while his assistant ushered a frightened customer out of the shop. They both then escaped into a back room unharmed.

"I calmed them down by saying 'stop, stop, stop...I'll open the door and let you in', because I realised they were going to come in anyway," said Mr Mackinnon.

"Once you sit back and reflect on it it's just the way they operate, there was no finesse at all, it's shock, shout and scream and break something.

"You've just got to look after the staff, customers and your own safety and make sure you're all right. Obviously they are the priorities."

Detective Inspector Phil Metcalfe, of York Police, said: "Mr Mackinnon and his female member of staff dealt with the situation sensibly.

"I would like to praise her for the way she got a customer out of the shop then she and the postmaster were able to get out of the shop.

A spokesman for the Post Office said: "Mr Mackinnon's actions were very brave in the circumstances."

Mr Mackinnon said the robbers stole about £3,000.

A spokesman for York Police said the robbers escaped in a waiting blue Vauxhall car driven by a third man.

The car was identified as having been stolen earlier in the day from Leeds and was later found abandoned half a mile from the village.

York police can be contacted on 01904 631321.

PICTURE: BRAVE: Stephen Mackinnon in front of the smashed security screen at Rufforth post office

Picture: Mike Tipping