Police are hunting a would-be robber who targeted a Skipton post office brandishing what appeared to a gun.

He went into the Broughton Road branch on Wednesday and demanded money from the counter assistant.

But quick-thinking Helen Green dived to floor and hit the panic button to sound the alarm and the robber fled empty-handed in the direction of Niffany Bridge.

Henry Gillett, 69, who manages the post office on behalf of his wife, Marina, was also in the store when the attempted robbery happened at 11.06am.

He said he had been talking to Miss Green when the man entered the shop and she had turned to serve him. When she heard his demands she hit the floor and Mr Gillett said he moved out of the back door, out of line of the pointed gun. "She was cool, calm and collected," said Mr Gillett.

The suspect is described as 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall, of slim build, and was wearing a black woolly hat over his face, a dark top and stone or cream trousers. A local youth has been arrested and released on police bail.

Detective Inspector Mick Moore said: "This was an unnerving experience for the post office staff, and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and may have seen something, no matter how insignificant, to come forward in the strictest confidence."

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