A BRAVE postmaster foiled a robbery despite being beaten about the head during the armed raid.

Rajan Vaish grappled with a gunman after a shotgun had been blasted into the counter at his Hindley Green post office in Atherton Road, on Saturday.

Although 28 years-old Mr Vaish was struck with the butt of a shotgun he still managed to wrestle a bag of money from the robbers.

Terrified customers watched as the two masked raiders burst into the shop just after 10am and pointed the gun at a female assistant who was serving newspapers.

One of the robbers then fired a shotgun blast into the post office counter.

But as they tried to escape Mr Vaish grappled with one one of them and managed to wrestle a bag from him while the second robber hit him around the head.

Police praised Mr Vaish's courage after the two raiders fled empty-handed.

DCI Mike Whiting, who is leading the hunt for the raiders, said: "This was an extraordinarily violent attack but the postmaster showed tremendous courage.

"He did very well to recover the money and hold on to one of the offenders at the same time.

"He showed no concern for his own safety and was very brave although I would not recommend other people do the same."

The hooded raiders made their getaway in a black Ford Escort which was later found abandoned.

Mr Whiting added: "We are appealing for people to come forward who may have seen the men escaping.

"We believe that the driver of the car was not wearing a mask and someone may have seen them leaving the scene."

Mr Vaish was taken by ambulance to Wigan Infirmary for treatment to cuts and bruises. Anyone with information should contact DCI Whiting on 0161 856 7251.

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