THE terrified owners of a Hampshire village post office were robbed at knifepoint and beaten up in an audacious daylight raid.

Bartley Post Office, which is also the village shop, was targeted at lunchtime yesterday.

Police have arrested a 26-year-old from Southampton in connection with the raid, who is being held at Lyndhurst police station.

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The store, which has been run by the same family for 30 years, was open when the robber struck.

Police confirmed that a robbery had taken place at around 1pm and have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

The robber did not make off with any cash, after a struggle with a member of staff.

Last night the post office was closed with a sign in the window saying “Sorry, closed due to robbery”.

Joe Bourne, who runs the shop, was too shocked to speak at length to the Daily Echo.

But he said: “We have had attempted break-ins before but nothing violent. He had a knife.”

In December 2005, thieves broke into the post office and took around £5,000 in coins.

Neighbours told of how they saw around four police cars and paramedics yesterday at the shop on the corner of New Inn Road and Chinham Road.

Ali Hixon, who lives next door, told the Daily Echo of her shock.

She said: “I spoke to the policeman, obviously because they are our neighbours. I think the people who run the shop had been beaten up.

“What shocked me was that it was a lovely, sunny and calm Sunday afternoon. It’s not like it was dark and in the evening.”

Ali said it was more shocking because Bartley was such a small place and had a tight community.

She described the Bournes as lovely people and added: “It just disgusted me that someone could beat them up. It’s the centre of the community that shop.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lyndhurst CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.