TWO men arrested in connection with an armed raid on a sub-post office store in Downside Road, Risinghurst, have been released on police bail.

The raid happened at 8pm on Tuesday evening when a man entered the shop brandishing what is believed to have been a replica gun.

Mahesh Gandhi, who owns the community shop and post office with his wife Hema Gandhi, was forced to hand over more than £300 in cash.

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Father-of-two Mr Gandhi said thoughts of his wife and two grown-up children flashed through his mind as the gunman, whose face was obscured by a black balaclava, brandished the weapon and demanded he stuff a rucksack with cash.

He said: “It was a nightmare experience but I had to deal with it as calmly as possible.”

A 28-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday and a 25-year old man was arrested yesterday, both on suspicion of robbery.

Both men were released on police bail until February 20 pending further inquiries into the robbery.

DS Simon Hamman of Force CID said: “This was undoubtedly a frightening experience for the staff involved.

“Fortunately no one was hurt in the incident but violent crime like this will not be tolerated.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.

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