POLICE are investigating whether the same gang is responsible for two armed raids on separate Hampshire post offices.

They are looking at similarities between Tuesday morning's attempted robbery at Burridge Post Office and a midday raid at the One Stop office in Whiteley last month.

In both cases a lone man entered the post offices and hit the security glass on the counter with a gun.

Now a team of officers from Fareham CID are investigating whether there is any forensic evidence linking the two crimes.

Detective Sergeant Derek Rawles, leading the operation, said: "We are looking at the possibility the two crimes may be linked."

This week police quizzed motorists and pedestrians outside the Botley Road sub-post office to see if anyone witnessed Tuesday's raid at 10.15am.

Postal worker Ken Pothecary, 60, refused to hand over any money to the balaclava-clad gunman after he failed to smash the glass on the counter.

Mr Pothercary, who works in the post office with wife Jan, 58, described how the man stormed into the premises.

"I was thinking 'I'm damned if I'm going to give you any money,'" said Mr Pothecary.

The getaway car - a black, hand- painted 20-year-old square hatchback - was driven by an accomplice towards Botley.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact DS Derek Rawles at Fareham CID by calling 0845 045 4545.