A 65-YEAR-OLD post office manager who rugby tackled an armed robber said it was “a bit galling” that the raider managed to escape with several hundred pounds.

Former PE teacher Rob Marcham spotted his chance when Cullingworth Post Office was raided on Monday afternoon.

Mr Marcham, who played rugby for teams in Bingley and Bradford for many years, said: “It all happened in seconds. He dropped a large wad of money, and managed to wriggle free, which was a bit galling. I don’t know how he got away.

“I wanted to chase him but I couldn’t leave the shop unattended.”

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Mr Marcham said the masked man had threatened him with a screwdriver.

When he began to leave, Mr Marcham launched himself at him, smashing the robber against the shop’s door.

The impact was so hard the door handle was knocked off.

Mr Marcham was unhurt, but the thief ran off with several hundred pounds.

The raid happened shortly before 5pm on Monday, February 4.

Mr Marcham’s wife is the postmistress. He said they had been running the post office together for nearly six years.

He explained he had briefly left the secure part of the shop after receiving a phone call from someone saying they had left a wallet in the premises.

While he was distracted, the thief entered and slipped through an open door into the secure area, where he rifled through the till.

Mr Marcham confronted the man, only for the robber to brandish a screwdriver and walk towards him.

“I let him get past as I didn’t want to try anything head-on,” Mr Marcham said.

“It was only when he had his back to me that I tackled him.

“I just didn’t want him to just get away with it.

“I still can’t believe he escaped. He never said a word, but he knew exactly where the money was so I suspect he’d been here before.

“He had a stocking over his face, was wearing a grey tracksuit top with the hood up, and dark tracksuit bottoms. He had a slim build, I think he was a younger man.”

Mr Marcham, who is originally from Bingley, said Cullingworth had experienced a lot of crime over the last 18 months, with raids on the village’s only cash machine, its chemist and a local cafe.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “The post office robbery happened at around 4.45pm on February 4.

“The suspect entered the shop armed with what’s believed to be a screwdriver and stole cash. Inquiries are ongoing.

“Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 13190 063631.”