A BRAVE postmistress thwarted a robbery in Rossendale yesterday by sounding a panic alarm when she was confronted by an armed man demanding cash.

Police said the man entered Newchurch Post Office just after opening at 9.10am brandishing a double-barrelled gun and pointing it at post mistress Margaret Ainsworth, 63.

He demanded cash, but he left empty-handed when she hit the panic alarm. No shots were fired and Mrs Ainsworth was shocked but uninjured.

The man made off along Church Street and down Top Barn Lane, where he hid behind a distinctive Mark 3 series powder blue Ford Escort hatchback which it is believed he owns.

Police, dogs and a helicopter were called and a search was made of nearby streets, but the man had already left the scene.

He is described as white, 6ft tall, in his mid 20s to 30, clean shaven with a roundish face, pale complexion, hazel eyes, light brown or mousy hair, wearing a dark, possibly black, three-quarter jacket, dark jeans, a black bob cap, a black and white chequered scarf and beige gloves.

Neither Mrs Ainsworth nor her husband, Joe, wanted to talk about the incident.

Police believe the car was parked in Top Barn Lane between 9 and 9.15am yesterday. Anyone with any information can contact Rossendale CID on 01706 215242.

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