A BRAVE postwoman was back delivering letters only a day after she was carjacked and almost dragged along behind the vehicle.

The Royal Mail employee, who did not want to be named, had her van stolen as she delivered the post on Monday in Eggborough, but was back on her round the very next day.

Police today reiterated their plea for witnesses to come forward, and said the offence could have been more serious.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “This was a terrifying ordeal which left the delivery driver badly shaken. She was just lucky she was not injured. This could have had grave consequences and we would appeal to the public for their help in catching this man.”

The postwoman’s ordeal began as she delivered mail to a house in High Eggborough Lane, at 1pm on Monday.

As she returned to her van, which did not have the usual Royal Mail livery on it, she used the key fob to unlock the doors. As she did so, a man leaped from some bushes pushed her to the floor and grabbed the keys.

He started the engine and the postwoman leaned in to the vehicle in an attempt to snatch back the keys. But she was forced to let go after the vehicle picked up speed, falling to the ground. The police spokesman said someone must have seen the man, either before or after the theft.

He was described as white, about 5ft 6ins tall with a thin face and of medium build. He was “scruffy looking”, wearing a dark green or grey beanie hat, a light-grey fleece top zipped at the front right up to the chin and blue jeans. He escaped with a quantity of undelivered mail and some of the postwoman’s personal belongings The van he stole was a white Vauxhall Combo which had M&G HIRE written on the side in red with a phone number underneath, plus a distinctive orange flashing light on the roof. The registration number was VE07 NLC.

Also seen in the area shortly before the incident was another white Transit-style van with a male driver. No other details are known about this van, although police would like the driver to come forward as a possible witness or to eliminate him from the inquiry.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the stolen van should phone Det Con Tania Gillman at York CID on 0845 6060247. People should quote the incident number 12100001905.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.