A TERRIFIED couple came face to face with masked raiders who held them hostage in their own home overnight and then robbed their post office business.

Their ordeal began when they returned from work last night to find at least three men wearing balaclavas had broken into their home in Barrow, near Clitheroe.

Police said the frightened pair were manhandled and thrown to the floor by the gang before being tied up and held hostage throughout the night.

This morning the gang stole the keys to the couple's Shadsworth Post Office on Ballantrae Road where they got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Post office customers found the shop closed and shuttered this morning.

The alarm was raised after the post-mistress struggled free and called for help on her mobile phone.

Police sealed off the row of shops and nearby streets and dog handlers were called in to search the premises because of fears that robbers could still be inside the building.

Around 20 officers surrounded the sub post office and detectives from Blackburn CID were also at the scene.

The sub postmaster and his wife were named locally as former police officer Raymond Clayson and his wife Irene.

Detective Inspector Bob Eastwood said: "This has been a very traumatic experience for this couple. They spent the night in extreme discomfort and a doctor has been out to see them this morning. The lady is particularly distressed. We are appealing to anyone who can help us trace these men who were prepared to use violence and left these people extrememly traumatised."

Residents gathered at Ballantrae Road to watch the police but said they saw nothing unusual this morning.

A local resident who did not want to be named said: "There were about 30 people outside the shop this morning, nobody turned up which is very unusual.

"He's always here on time or if he doesn't come, then his wife opens the shop. There must be something going on."

Post Office spokesman Graham Moore said: "Our concern is obviously for the welfare of the sub-postmaster and his wife who had to undergo a horrendous ten or twelve hours.

"We understand that they are not injured to the extent of requiring hospital treatment, although they have endured a terrible ordeal.

"The post office is now closed and we can't say yet when it will reopen, but it will remain closed for the rest of today."

It is believed that Mr Clayson has run the sub post office for the past 15 years.

He has been a sub-postmaster since 1973 and in 1996 became treasurer of the East Lancashire branch of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters. He was the organisation's president from 1988 until 1993.

Three years ago, Mr Clayson took part in celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of the federation in Wakefield.

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information is urged to ring Blackburn police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.