AN INVESTIGATION has opened after an armed robbery at a Blackwell post office.

Four males, one of which was believed to have been holding a gun, entered the post office in St Catherines Road on Thursday lunchtime and threatened members of staff, before forcing them to hand over cash.

The males then ran out of the post office with the cash in a bag and jumped into a red Mazda RX8, before speeding away towards Spirehouse Lane. A staff member from the post office was taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch with an injury to his shoulder.

The raiders were all wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

Detective inspector Mark Colquhoun, from West Mercia Constabulary, said: "Fortunately no one was seriously hurt during this robbery but all the staff at the post office were understandably very shaken by their ordeal.

"We have already spoken to some witnesses but we are appealing to anyone else who saw anything connected to this incident to come forward.

"It may be that someone noticed the offenders near the post office beforehand or can give us more information on the direction of travel of the red Mazda as it left Spirehouse Lane.

DI Colquhoun added: "All calls with information, no matter how immaterial it may seem, are welcome to help progress our enquiries at this early stage."

Anyone with information can call Bromsgrove police on 01527 444 888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.