ARMED robbers have been jailed for a total of 38 years for violent attacks at post offices around the country, including Morecambe and Heysham.

During their six-month spree until May 2002, the Liverpool gang netted more than £140,000 during 12 armed raids in seven counties. Officers also recovered £22,000 worth of drugs, together with £15,000 cash.

The gang's £25,000 haul from the Beaufort Road post office in Bare in January, 2002, shook the local community. Three months later they raided the Middleton Road branch in Heysham, making off with £30,000.

The men, aged between 21 and 31, all pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to rob, before being sent down at Chester Crown Court on Monday. Their sentences ranged from five to 11 years.

Lancaster's DI Paul Mattinson - who co-ordinated Lancashire's part of 'Operation Paceway', which saw officers around the country joining forces to hunt down the gang - haswelcomed the sentences.

"They were very violent men. They got behind the counters and beat up members of the staff who were left very shaken afterwards," he told the Citizen.

"There was a great deal of concern in the local community because we had the one at Beaufort and then the one in Heysham.

"They were career criminals and very violent, committing offences across the country using the motorway system. They were getting away with large amounts of money using violence."

Elsewhere, one post office worker had a knife held to his throat, while an off duty constable was stabbed when he challenged the offenders.