Capel St Mary post office was targeted by an armed robber today for the second time in five days, and the fourth time in 18 months.

This afternoon detectives issued CCTV images of the masked robber who brandished a handgun as he threatened staff and a female cashier while demanding money.

Although a man with a handgun fled empty-handed during last Friday’s attempted armed robbery, today’s gunman was given an amount of cash and left the shop.

No-one was injured during the incident which happened around 10.40am.

The man then left the village in a blue Ford, driving off towards Link Road.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary said the robber 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.

Police want to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident or 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.

Officers are carrying out inquiries in the area, including searches with air support.

The same 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 West Suffolk CID on 01473 613500.