A HUSBAND and wife were bound and beaten by three masked robbers at Scotforth Post Office on Tuesday.

It is the second time sub postmasters Keith and Angela Miller, both middle aged, have been attacked. They were hurt in a similar attack in 1991.

The couple, badly shaken, didn't wish to comment but a close friend of the family who stayed with them on Tuesday evening after the attack said they 'were all right and are recovering well'.

The robbers, who were wielding baseball bats, made off with thousands of pounds.

Keith and Angela were bound for about half an hour. Keith was struck in the face and suffered facial injuries but was not seriously hurt. Both were said by police to be 'extremely distressed'. The couple spent much of Tuesday in the RLI but were able to return home in the afternoon when they were interviewed at length by the police. It is believed the villains gained entry to the post office (opposite Booths) via the back door around 8am. The couple were captured and bound by the robbers who took the money from the safe.

Detective Chief Constable Neil Smith is investigating the case and urged anyone with any information to come forward. He said: "This is a nasty attack. The couple were extremely distressed.

"We urgently need to talk to anyone who saw anything at the time. It was a busy time of day on a busy stretch of road by the traffic lights. Somebody must have seen something which may help us."

Another armed robbery attempt at Bargain Booze at Slyne Road in Slyne was unsuccessful. A lone robber wearing a balaclava threatened a young female assistant at about 8.15pm on Sunday. But he was disturbed half-way through the attack by a male customer and fled empty handed.

Shortly after that a late night store was robbed by a man matching a similar description in Cabus in Garstang. A white Vauxhall Nova was seen at both the Slyne and Cabus.

If you have any information on any of these incidents you are urged to call Lancaster police on 01524 63333.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.