A Post office counter clerk told this week how she kept calm when an armed raider threatened her with what looked like a gun.

Hazel Whitehouse was praised by Judge Michael Mott at Worcester Crown Court on Monday for her "commendable speed and courage" which forced the would-be thief to flee empty-handed.

Mrs Whitehouse was working behind the counter at Upton Post Office when a hooded man pointed what appeared to be a double-barrelled shotgun at her and demanded she fill a plastic carrier bag with money.

She slowly walked back into the office where postmaster Paul Twist was working and he slammed the security door and sounded the panic alarm.

The man, Andrew Craig, fled leaving behind the plastic bag. It later emerged that the 'gun' was made up of two metal tubes from an ironing board, partly hidden up his sleeve.

The attempted raid happened on March 15, but legal reasons prevented the Malvern Gazette from reporting details of the raid following Craig's arrest until his trial was over.

"I don't think I was brave, you just do what you feel," said Mrs Whitehouse.

"I'm a very calm person but I was scared. My prime concern was the safety of Paul and myself. I thought we need to get away from what I thought was a gun."

Mr Twist said he was proud of the way Mrs Whitehouse had handled herself.

"It was incredibly brave," he said, adding that it was fortunate there were no customers in the post office at the time."

Mr Twist reopened the post office the next day. Mrs Whitehouse had booked a holiday for the three days after the attempt, but returned to work the next week.

"I think if you're frightened you never do anything and I enjoy working here," she said.