A post office worker was left with a suspected concussion after three men in balaclavas targeted Great Cornard Post Office at the weekend.

The robbers entered the shop in Applegate Mews between 7pm and 7.30pm yesterday (Sunday, December 5) armed with a metal bar, a screwdriver and a knife.

They demanded money and assaulted a man in his 40s, leaving him with a suspected concussion, before stealing cash and tobacco.

The trio then left the scene in a dark coloured estate car β€” possibly an Audi or a Vauxhall.

The post office is temporarily closed following the incident.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "The victim, aged in his 40s, was taken to hospital for treatment to a suspected concussion.

"On leaving the scene one of the suspects pushed a witness and threatened them with a knife demanding their phone.

"The offender then ran off without taking it with no further threat or force used."

A Post Office spokeswoman said: "The people who run our Post Office branches provide important services to local communities.

"This type of crime is very traumatic for the retailer and we will be supporting the police in their efforts.

”The branch is currently temporarily closed. The nearest alternative branch is Sudbury.”

Chairman of Great Cornard parish council Stewart Sheridan said these sort of incidents are extremely unusual in Great Cornard.

He said: "Great Cornard is a peaceful village and this is not the sort of thing you expect to happen or occur in Great Cornard.

"I hope that everyone gives the police their full cooperation so that they can catch the criminals."

Mr Sheridan is now calling on residents to stay vigilant and to look out for their neighbours.

Enquiries into the incident are on-going and anyone who witnessed the incident saw any suspicious behaviour at around the time of the incident or knows who was responsible should contact Bury St Edmunds CID, quoting crime number 37/68782/21.

Suffolk police can be reached on 101, or Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.