Masked raiders used a shotgun to try to blast their way through a Post Office security screen during an attempted robbery today.

The four robbers entered the shop in Halifax Road, Cullingworth, shortly before 10am, causing the terrified post mistress and her female assistant to scurry for cover in a cellar.

The gang tried to smash their way through a glass security screen before firing a shot through it, but they failed to access the till.

They fled empty handed in a stolen white Rover in the direction of Denholme, but found the road blocked by an lorry driver who had seen them trying to escape.

The gang, one of whom was believed to be Asian, then reversed the car and headed towards Bradford along Green Lane. The vehicle was later found burned out in Girlington. Today the shop was cordoned off by police and the damaged security screen could be seen from the pavement.

One shocked pensioner, who had hoped to collect her pension, said: "It's very frightening. This sort of thing never happens in Cullingworth."

Stylist Carly Davidson, 19, who works at Hair Flair, in Halifax Road, said she heard the gunshot at about 10am.

"At first I thought it was just the traffic going past because it's a very busy road, " she said.

Detective Inspector Neil Benstead, of Keighley CID, leading the inquiry, said two women at the post office were not hurt but were suffering from shock.

"It's a very frightening crime that these men have been involved in, as their intention was clearly one of theft and the use of violence against property was completely unnecessary," he said.

"We are appealing for anyone who saw the vehicle to ring in with any information."

He said the getaway vehicle, a white Rover 216, registration H217 SCX, was stolen last night from the Odsal area of Bradford.

A Post Office spokesman said the alarm was raised as soon as a shot was fired.

Anyone with information should contact Keighley CID on (01535) 617059.