A POST OFFICE boss today told of the terrifying moment a raider burst in and demanded cash from a member of staff.

The robber was armed with a baseball bat, which he smashed on to a till at the Rufforth Post Office, near York.

But he was thwarted after a female worker reached forward and closed the till before he could snatch any cash.

Steve Mackinnon, who owns the village post office, praised her actions. He said another female member of staff then came out to see what was going on, causing the robber to flee.

It was the third attempted robbery in two years at the Wetherby Road premises.

In June this year, terrified villagers ran for cover as armed ram-raiders smashed through the front of the post office and tried to steal a cash machine using a Land Rover.

And in August, 2000, two robbers carrying a sledgehammer, a baseball bat and a knife struck while a customer was inside.

Mr Mackinnon said he thought three youths were involved on this occasion. He said one youth, wearing a mask entered the Post Office, while the other two waited outside.

"No one was injured," he said. "He just wanted to get into the till. He banged on the till and it opened. But the young girl, who had stayed back out of the way, reached up and closed it.

"She was upset afterwards, but she was sound at the time. Obviously it was very frightening. I went to see her yesterday, and she will be coming back to work."

Mr Mackinnon said the three youths escaped down the street in the direction of Rufforth airfield.

Three young men were arrested in connection with the incident but have been released on police bail, pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information about the incident at 3.15pm on Saturday afternoon should contact York police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 14:16 Monday, September 02, 2002