ARMED robbers have attacked a Hereford post office; the second such raid in a fortnight.

Detectives are 'open-minded' over links between this week's hold-up at Tupsley and another in Portfields. They occurred around the same time of day and a handgun was used in each - wielded at least once by a stocky man in his late 20'-early 30s.

A suspect similar to this description burst into Tupsley Post Office, Church Road, with an accomplice at about 12.45pm on Tuesday.

The pair pounced for cash threatening staff and customers at pistol-point.

They then escaped down an alleyway near Dormington Drive that took them to parkland known locally as The Quarry.

Both are between 5 ft 7 and 5ft 10 tall.

One, well built and tanned, wore a navy blue sweatshirt with light blue jeans. He may have had a dark woollen hat. The other sported a black balaclava and hooded top.

Either of these two could have held a white plastic carrier bag with green and red writing.

A 999 call saw police at the post office minutes later. Officers arrived to find those inside shocked but unhurt.

The robbery mirrors another incident at Eign Road Post Office just after 12.40pm on Friday, September 7 (see HT 13/9/01).

Here the raider worked solo, pulling a pistol on the counter assistant and making off with monies along Clive Street into Portfield Street.

This stocky dark haired suspect is in his late 20's to early 30's, between 5ft 5 and 5ft 6 tall, and wore a blue denim jacket with a dark woollen hat.

Information on suspicious sightings or vehicles around the area of each attack can be passed on to CID at Hereford central police station (01432 276422) or the 0800 555 111 Crime Stoppers line.