BURGLARS escaped with a large quantity of cash after breaking into a village post office in the early hours of yesterday morning.The intruders broke into Lavenham Post Office on the village High Street, between 3.

BURGLARS escaped with a large quantity of cash after breaking into a village post office in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The intruders broke into Lavenham Post Office on the village High Street, between 3.30am and 5am, and fled with thousands of pounds after activating an alarm system.

They went into postmaster John Garbett's living accommodation as he slept in an upstairs room, searched the living quarters and stole a wallet before targeting the post office area.

Mr Garbett was awoken by the alarms going off and telephoned the police. He later discovered the raiders had fled with a large quantity of cash from the post office.

The postmaster said he is disturbed by the incident that is the third attempt by thieves to break into the premises this year.

"This is the third attempted break-in at the post office this year and it is certainly not making life an easier.

"This type of thing doesn't help me or the people in the village, it causes disruption and we will not be able to re-open until everything has been audited," added Mr Garbett.

A spokesman for Post Office Limited said: "We can confirm that a burglary took place and the postmaster was alerted when the alarm went off.

"The intruders did escape with a large quantity of cash, but fortunately nobody was hurts as a result of the incident.

"We are now urging anyone with any information about the burglary to come forward."

A Suffolk police spokesman said: "The premises were entered via the living accommodation to the rear of the post office and the owner was alerted by the alarm sounding.

"A quantity of cash was taken from the post office and a wallet containing cash was taking from the living accommodation."

Detectives investigating the break-in, are now appealing for witnesses or anybody who noticed anyone acting suspiciously to contact them immediately.

Anyone with any information should telephone Det Con John Gibbens at Sudbury police on 01284 774300 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.