Four masked men armed with a sledgehammer and a shotgun terrorised post office staff and stole money.

The attackers wearing black balaclavas burst into Bolton Woods Post Office in Livingstone Road, Shipley, at 10.20am yesterday. Keighley detectives today appealed for information about the robbery and the getaway car.

A police spokesman said: "At least three masked men entered the post office with what is believed to be a shotgun and a sledgehammer and smashed their way through to the counter area.

"One of the men climbed over the counter and removed an amount of cash."

The men escaped in a black BMW with false registration plates W327 VRD. The original plates were V114 EGC. The car was stolen from Wibsey on December 11.

It was found in Frizley Gardens, Shipley, about five minutes after the robbery. Police believe the robbers could have then jumped into a second car. Four suspects were seen in Frizley Gardens.

One was aged 18 to 19 with a light blue jacket. Another was 19 to 20 with a white top and beige anorak. He was thin with short mousey hair and about 5ft 4ins. The robbers and the money may have been covered in red dye after the incident.

Witnesses should call CID on (01535) 617083 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.