Police were this afternoon hunting masked armed raiders who robbed a post office near York.

Two robbers wielding a sledgehammer, a baseball bat and a knife struck at Rufforth Post Office while a terrified customer was inside the store.

They threatened the stunned postmaster and his assistant into handing over a large amount of cash before fleeing the store, in the village main street.

They escaped with a third man in a waiting stolen white Cavalier car, registration H474 WYD, later found abandoned half a mile from the village.

Nobody was hurt in the raid, but the staff and the customer were left shocked by their ordeal.

The car used in the raid was reported stolen in Leeds earlier today.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them at York station on 01904 631321.

The owner of the post office, Steve Mackinnon, told the Evening Press how two balaclava-clad men burst in, one armed with a knife and the other with a sledgehammer.

He said: "They were shouting and bawling at me and threatening a member of staff.

"Then they stared to use the sledgehammer on the glass (partition).

"I knew it wasn't worth anyone getting hurt so I calmed him down, got the staff out the back and let them get on with it."