A five-figure reward has been offered by the Post Office to bring to justice an armed gang, disguised in burkhas, who pistol-whipped a terrified sub-postmaster.

The 38-year-old needed hospital treatment for a cut head after he was hit with the butt of a handgun when he was unable to open the safe at the Oak Lane Post Office, in Manningham, Bradford.

He was ambushed by two men, who had been lying in wait, as he opened the post office, and bundled inside.

The raiders, dressed in full-length women’s burkhas, fled empty-handed to a waiting stolen silver Volvo S60, with a 54 registration plate, containing at least one other man, after seeing a customer peering through a window.

The car was abandoned near to the Bradford Salem rugby union club in Shay Lane and set on fire.

Yesterday, the Post Office offered a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the attempted robbery.

Police welcomed the offer. Detective Inspector Steve Snow, of Bradford South CID, which is investigating the attempted robbery, said: “We want this reward to prick somebody’s conscience and focus people’s minds on whether they can identify those involved.

“These were masked men who were prepared to lie in wait for the sub-postmaster in a busy residential area and enter the post office, armed with what is believed to be a handgun, and violently and viciously attack the sub-postmaster in their frustration when he was unable to fulfil their requests.

“People in the community, particularly the Heaton and Manningham areas, will know somebody who knows something about this offence. We want them to come forward and provide names of those they believe may be responsible.”

Det Insp Snow added: “The fact that the Post Office has offered this reward, in support of the investigation, clearly highlights the serious nature of this incident and that they are also seeking to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.”

The Post Office declined to comment, but the sub-postmaster, speaking after the attempted robbery, said he had been so scared he wanted to find another job.

Det Insp Snow said: “He was very shaken up, concerned and disturbed, and because of this attack he is considering whether he wants to continue in this form of employment.”

The suspects who went into the post office are thought to be Asian males, slim and in their 20s.

Anyone with information about the robbery, which occurred at about 9am on Friday, November 27, should contact Bradford South CID, on 0845 6060606, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.