TWO men armed with crowbars stole a "substantial amount" of money from Eckington Post Office.

No one was injured in the incident in Church Street yesterday lunchtime but a member of staff was threatened with the two-foot-long crowbars by the men who were wearing face-covering balaclavas with eye-slits.

A third man drove the pair off at high speed in a white Audi 80 towards Bredon.

Police later found the car abandoned near Bredon Sailing Club, close to the Bredon's Norton turn on the Eckington-Bredon Road.

The two men are both described as "probably white". They were between 5ft and 5ft 4ins tall and are believed to be in their late teens or early 20s.

One of them is of slim build, but neither had a recognisable accent.

A police spokesman said officers carried out house-to-house enquiries in the area around the sailing club to see if anyone saw the Audi being dumped or the men getting into another vehicle, which might have then been driven off at high speed.

"We are keen to hear from anyone driving, walking or even sailing in the area between 1pm and 1.40pm to come forward," he said.

"They may well have information that is crucial to the investigation."

"We also want anyone who was near Eckington Post Office between 12.45pm and 1.10pm to come forward, no matter how unimportant they might think their information to be."

The Post Office remained closed today as police continue their enquiries.

Anyone with information should ring 08457 444888, quoting 66C/180105.