A Post Office branch has been closed ever since staff fell victim to a terrifying robbery more than two months ago.

A masked robber sprayed pesticide in the faces of workers at Holme Wood Post Office, Bradford, on August 30, and fled with a substantial amount of cash.

The three terrified women were left temporarily blinded and had to be treated at Bradford Royal Infirmary for minor facial injuries.

But two months on, the branch in The Parade is still closed.

Traumatised sub-postmistress Victoria Kendall, one of those attacked, said although she didn’t feel ready to return, she was keen for the branch to reopen as soon as possible, and had asked the Post Office whether they could provide temporary staff.

She said: “That’s all I’ve wanted, for them to get some staff in and me to go back at a later date.

“I do appreciate that the elderly are having to walk to another post office.”

Many of the traders in The Parade said their takings had fallen by as much as 50 per cent since the branch had shut because people were no longer shopping there.

Lorraine Benton, owner of JL Moore bakers, said her takings had halved, but stressed that Miss Kendall had her full sympathy.

“We understand why she’s not gone back in, but this community, this estate, needs a post office,” she said.

Customer Kelly Gill, 30, said: “I understand how this has caused the owners a lot of stress and has traumatised the staff that were working that afternoon.”

But she said the post office, which had only opened in December after a huge local campaign, was a key part of the estate’s shops.

A Post Office spokesman said: “We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Holme Wood Estate Post Office branch following a robbery in August.

“The people who run our Post Office branches provide important services to local communities.

“Any robbery or attempted robbery is not only traumatic for those involved but is also an attack on the local community and we would like to reassure customers that we are trying to find a way to restore services to the area very soon.”

No-one has yet been charged over the robbery and police have again asked anyone with information to call 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

The community last year fought a huge campaign for a Post Office branch to be opened in the first place.

The old Holme Wood branch had been forced to close after a temporary sub-postmaster resigned, so locals petitioned the Post Office to open a replacement.