POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an armed robbery at the post office in Marshalls Cross Road at about 12.30pm on Monday.

A man armed with a pistol approached a security guard who was delivering to the premises and demanded that he hand over a security box containing stock.

The robber had been posing as a customer in the post office and as the security guard opened the door to the shop a gun was thrust to his head and he was ordered to hand over the box.

There was a slight struggle, but the armed man managed to wrestle the box from the guard and ran off down nearby Manville Street.

DS Don Gordon, who is investigating the robbery, said: "I would like to hear from anyone who may have seen someone acting suspiciously around the post office in the last week or so.

"We are also making inquiries into whether a car was used to help the robber escape and would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed something to come forward."

The robber is described as white, aged about 25 years, 5ft 5in to 5ft 8in tall with a slim build, tanned complexion and dark, straight hair. He was wearing a blue-and-white checked shirt and dark baseball cap.

Anyone who can help police with their inquiries can contact DC Don Gordon at St Helens Police Station on 0151 777 6050, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.