Five postmen chased and caught a knife-wielding robber who struck at a Bradford post office.

The delivery crew pulled up at Girlington Post Office as the sub-postmaster was being threatened by a masked man.

They piled out of the minibus and the knifeman fled up Kensington Street pursued by the postmen and sub-postmaster at 7.30am yesterday.

He was caught about half a mile away in Whetley Lane at the junction with Weetwood Road by one postmen and was restrained by two passers-by. Another man believed to be involved escaped.

The 48-year-old sub-postmaster - who did not want to be named - said: "I was opening up the shop and was attacked by a bloke in a ski mask. I screamed at him and he jumped back and I gave chase. There were postmen in a van and they joined in the chase and eventually collared him.

"I was frightened but my reaction was - who does this man think he is that he comes into this post office, where I earn my livelihood, and steals money from the safe?"

The sub-postmaster, who has worked for the Post Office for more than 20 years, said it was the second raid on his business in three months. He was ambushed at gunpoint, pistol whipped and robbed by a masked gang who stole a substantial amount of cash in a raid in June.

Today he praised the bravery of his colleagues. "It was like a scene out of Keystone Cops. I am enormously grateful to them because I couldn't have caught him on my own," he said.

Detective Sergeant Paul Kelsey, of Bradford North CID, said: "They have done a really good job. I commend their actions. They had seen the knife and still pursued him which was very brave.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "They are extremely brave in their actions to apprehend the suspect."

*An 18-year-old Bradford man was due to appear before Bradford Magistrates today charged with attempted robbery and threats to kill.