ARMED raiders threatened a postmaster and fellow worker with an axe but fled empty-handed after being beaten off with a charity box.

The robbery happened at Eldwick Post Office in Otley Road at about 3.20pm yesterday when three men burst into the village shop and post office.

One raider is believed to have tried to reach the safe in the Post Office section of the shop, but was beaten back by the worker using a charity box of coins.

The robbers fled and jumped into a Ford Focus car.

Postmaster Nigel Horsfall left the shop to pursue them in his car, but lost them while heading in the direction of Gilstead.

He returned to the shop and was overheard by customers telling police what had happened.

Police arrested a 22-year-old man near Glen Road, Gilstead, a short time later. He has now been released without charge, police said today.

The Ford Focus getaway car was later found abandoned in Sheriff Lane, near the Post Office.

Detective Inspector Stuart Lyons, of Bradford District CID, said last night: ‘‘We believe three men entered the store, possibly armed with a stick or axe, but then fled empty handed.

‘‘Fortunately, no-one was injured but shop staff have been left understandably shaken by the incident.

‘‘Officers were dispatched to the scene and about 3.30pm a man was arrested from an area close to Glen Road.

‘‘The 22-year-old, who is a local man, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.

‘‘I'm keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone with information about the robbery.’’

Mr Horsfall declined to comment to the Telegraph & Argus but a woman who also works there told how the robbers burst into shop demanding cash.

She said: "I'd finished my shift. The postmaster Nigel Horsfall was in there and luckily there were no customers in the shop when these men came in with an axe.

"Nigel refused to give them anything and they lost their nerve and left with nothing.

"Even though I wasn't there at the time - I'm shaking."

Uniformed police guarded the post office entrance as Mr Horsfall gave them a statement last night.

At the Beauty Corner hairdressers opposite, lifelong Eldwick resident Helena Clasby said the raid was a shock for the village.

"I've never heard anything like this here, it's a lovely, safe quiet place," she said.

Local historian Allan Mirfield knows Mr Horsfall well and said refusing to hand over the cash "sounds just the sort of thing he'd do."

"Nigel is a true mainstay of the village and his Post Office is always very busy and really treasured,"Mr Mirfield said.

"He has all the village news and leaflets and is a really friendly chap who cannot be thanked enough for what he does. His staff are lovely too."

Anyone with information about the raid is urged to contact Bradford CID on 101 quoting crime reference: 913 of 26 March.