AN ELDERLY couple subjected to a terrifying ordeal when hammer-wielding raiders struck at their village home are still struggling to sleep two weeks after their trauma.

AN ELDERLY couple subjected to a terrifying ordeal when hammer-wielding raiders struck at their village home are still struggling to sleep two weeks after their trauma.

Dennis and Lucy Davies were bound hand-and-feet by two robbers during a bungled attempt to rob the post office next door to their Chevington home, near Bury St Edmunds, on August 26 at around 4am.

The couple, who feared for their lives during the attack, have since closed the post office, which is owned but no longer run by 71-year-old Mrs Davies, and have even considered moving away from Suffolk as a result.

And Post Office bosses are now keen to appoint a new sub-postmaster following the resignation of Dorothy Corlett as a result of the raid, to allow the branch to continue operating.

"We share the disappointment of our loyal customers in Chevington at the closure of their post office," said Steve Rayner, rural transfer adviser. "I can assure local people that we are committed to restoring easily accessible and relevant services as soon as possible.

"Although no interest has been shown as yet in the advertised vacancy, we will continue to work hard behind the scenes with local community groups to achieve our goal."

Mr Davies, 77, speaking from his home yesterday, said the couple had closed the branch permanently, after reaching their wits' end with the risks involved.

"We are feeling a lot better now, but night-times are still a problem, as they bring back the memories," he said.

"My wife is managing to put the incident behind her, and has closed the post office for good, as we have just had enough. It has made us feel safer and we just hope the police manage to catch the people responsible."

The raiders held a pillow over Mr Davies' face during the incident, causing him to suffer an asthma attack, which later resulted in a trip to the West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds. They then left empty-handed.

Mike Nunn, spokesman for Suffolk Police, said: "We have had a number of calls since the e-fit was released, and are continuing the investigation into other lines of inquiry.

"But we would still like to hear from anyone who has further information on this terrifying incident.

"We were disappointed with the number of calls we did receive but appreciate it was early in the morning. We would ask people to cast their minds back to Tuesday, August 26, and consider whether they noticed anyone acting suspiciously.

"This also counts for anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area during the days or weeks leading up to the incident."

The police are now keen to talk to the two men involved in the raid. One is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall and in his 30s. He was of medium build and wore a dark, woollen hat, dark trousers and a jacket.

His accomplice was also white, around 5ft 9ins tall and of medium build. His face was obscured with a balaclava and he wore a dark jacket and dark trousers.

Anyone who recognises the descriptions, or has any other information on the incident, should contact Suffolk Police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Anyone interested in filling the vacancy at Chevington Post Office should contact Agency Recruitment on 0845 601 6260.