RAIDERS struck at two post offices within an hour of each other today, injuring one postmaster in a scuffle.

Police are linking the two attempted raids, after three white males - believed to be in their late teens or early 20s - smashed the door to the post office in Hallow, near Worcester, just after 5am.

The postmaster was injured during a scuffle and had to be taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

His injuries are not thought to be serious, and police believe the men made off in a red Volvo.

Andrew Holland, the postmaster at Cutnall Green, Droitwich, was asleep in bed upstairs when the second attempted break-in took place at 5.40am.

He was with his two boys, Michael, aged 13, and Joseph, 11, and did not hear the would-be robbers trying to smash down the door.

Mr Holland said the first he heard about the raid was when he was contacted by police.

"I've been postmaster for two years and this is the first time this has happened at Cutnall Green, although there was an attempted break-in here about four years ago," said the 42-year-old.

He said the raiders used such force to try to break down the door that an 18in piece of wood from the front door flew around 20ft, landing by the counter.

"There is glass everywhere," said Mr Holland, of New Road.

Post Office spokesman Don Veale confirmed there were two attempted robberies.

"The postmaster at Hallow had a confrontation with the intruders and ended up having hospital treatment, with stitches. Both were to do with the retail side, rather than the post office side."

Anyone with information should contact police on 08457 444888, quoting c/655429 for the Hallow robbery, and c/655430 for the Cutnall Green burglary.