RAIDERS brandishing a handgun burst into a Rossendale village post office and demanded cash.

The attempted robbery, which has rocked the village community, happened at Edenfield Post Office, in Market Street, at around 9am yesterday.

Police said two men entered the post office and demanded cash, before making off empty-handed with a third man waiting in a black Hyundai Coupe.

The car was found abandoned shortly afterwards on a track running parallel to the Edenfield bypass, near to a lay-by on the north-bound carriageway.

Police say it is possible that the offenders may have got into a white van after abandoning the Hyundai.

The two men who entered the post office are white and were wearing yellow sleeveless high-visibility jackets. One of them is thought to have had a handgun.

Detectives searched the area, and the abandoned vehicle was taken away for forensic examination.

Detective Inspector Simon Cheyte said: "I would appeal for anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has seen anything suspicious around the post office over recent weeks, to come forward.

"I would also appeal for anyone who saw the Hyundai Coupe to get in touch.

"We believe it may have been parked up on Market Street, close to the post office, before the incident and would like to hear from anyone who saw it then, or after the incident."

Sally James, of Deardenfold, Haslingden, went to the post office to look for her son who had been delivering post to the office.

She said: "My 23-year-old son William is a postman and delivers to the post office. I didn't know whether he had been caught up in what happened because he usually comes straight home, but didn't do today. I asked the police officer at the scene and he said that he'd spoken to him and he was fine, so that's a relief."

It is the second time the post office has been targeted in recent years.

"In 2002, three masked robbers carrying weapons, including a sawn-off shotgun and baseball bat, burst into the post office, threatened the terrified sub-postmistress and fled with £1,500 cash.

Roger Shepherd, 46, of Market Street, said: "The first thing I knew about this was when I saw the police cordon outside the post office.

"I just hope they catch whoever is responsible."

Anyone with any information can contact police on 01282 425001, or Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.