ARMED police descended on rural Burley-in-Wharfedale in search of a robber thought to be armed with a handgun who stole cash from the village post office this morning (May 19).

The man struck at Burley-in-Wharfedale Post Office, Station Road, at about 9.20am, when the village is usually busy with shoppers and parents returning home from the school run.

The same post office, which is currently up for sale, was subjected to an armed raid in April 2013, which saw one robber, who was jailed later that year, tackled by a police officer and a member of the public.

Police have confirmed investigations into the attack on Tuesday were ongoing, but no description of the suspect has yet been released.

Postmaster, John Garforth, said staff were "fine", and nobody was injured in the incident. The post office was closed for the rest of the day as an audit was carried out, and police investigating the robbery were expected to visit the premises again.

Police also visited shops further along the street, talking to staff at a nearby butcher's shop.

It is understood police were seeking information on a man seen sitting on a wall shortly before the incident, who was said to have been covering his face.

Staff at a nearby business are said to have raised the alarm when they heard a commotion break out in the post office.

Burley resident Jane Cameron, who works at The Grange, close to the post office, did not see the robbery, but was alerted shortly afterwards when she heard a police helicopter, and looked out to see armed police and dogs searching Grange Park.

She said: "I looked out of my window and saw heavily armed police and sniffer dogs. It's not what you expect to see in Burley."

She asked around to find out if the couple who run the post office were unharmed.

"They're such a lovely, lovely couple, thank goodness they're okay," she added.

Ward councillor, Jackie Whiteley, (Con, Wharfedale) said she was shocked by the incident, and saddened.

She said: "It's a great shame for this poor little business, they've been here for years and it is an asset to the village."

She also questioned if criminals are targeting the otherwise low-crime area as it is not prepared for more serious crime, with few police patrols during daytime.

"Perhaps they think we're a sleepy backwater and nobody will be prepared," she said.