DETECTIVES have released CCTV images of a masked gunman they believe has held-up a village post office twice in five days.

The armed robber is thought to have struck again at Capel St Mary Post Office yesterday morning after fleeing empty-handed following a similar raid last Friday.

Postmaster Trevor Gibbons’ store has now been raided four times in 18 months.

During the latest robbery the raider left staff traumatised after brandishing a handgun at the postmaster and a female cashier while demanding money.

Two customers were also in the post office at the time.

Detective Inspector David Giles, who is leading the inquiry, said: “The members of staff are incredibly distressed as you can understand.

“We will be doing everything we can to catch this person and I am confident we are going to catch him.

“We have had a lot of help so far from people in the village and I would like to thank the members of the public who have been very helpful.”

Det Insp Giles said he was aware of villagers’ safety concerns following the raids and said work was being done to reassure the people of Capel St Mary.

No-one was injured during yesterday’s incident, which happened around 10.40am.

The robber left the village in a blue Ford that had been parked in Link Road

He is said to have been heading in the direction of Great Wenham rather than the A12.

Det Insp Giles said: “I am linking the two offences together and am in touch with Essex Police because it is right on the border and there could be links with Essex.”

The gunman was described as white, in his 40s, very tall and of large build, with short dark hair and was wearing a dark blue sweatshirt, blue jeans and a children’s party mask coloured black, white and red.

The robber involved in last Friday’s raid was wearing sunglasses and a green anorak with the hood up and was described as white, 6ft 3ins tall, of large, stocky build and clean shaven.

Police want to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time of yesterday’s incident or who may have seen the blue Ford before or after the robbery.

The car was displaying two different number plates when it left the scene, an X registration on the back and an 04 plate beginning EJ on the front.

Capel Post Office was the target of armed robbers twice in December 2008. The offenders were never caught.

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Suffolk CID on 01473 613500.