A POST OFFICE van driver was held at gunpoint in an dramatic afternoon robbery last week.

The armed raid happened on Thursday (March 25) at approximately 1.30pm, close to the Willow Bank Post Office in Jolly's Lane, Hayes.

A cash-in-transit guard was set upon by two men wearing crash helmets as he was preparing to make his money deliveries.

One of the suspects pulled out a gun and demanded cash, and the guard handed over bags and a box containing an unspecified amount of money.

The pair made a speedy getaway on a motorcycle, heading down Jolly's Lane towards the junction with Glencoe Road.

No one was injured during the robbery.

'Iver', who manages the Willow Bank Post Office, expressed his shock at the incident.

"This is a very quiet area - I have been working here for twenty years and this is the first time something like this has happened so it's quite a shock.

"Our driver comes every Thursday but not at a specific so we were just waiting for him to arrive. One of our customers came in and said that police were outside and the van was being looked at.

"It must've all happened very quickly because by the time I went out to have a look, the area had already been ribboned off."

No arrests have been made, and police are appealing for any information that may lead to the suspects.

DC Power, of the Metropolitan Police' Flying Squad, said: "I am keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the robbery or anyone who may have seen the suspects on the motorbike prior to, or following, the incident."

Both suspects are described as being back and aged between 20-25 years old. One was approximately 5"5 of muscular build, and the other was approximately 5"9 of average build. Both were said to be wearing a dark coat, light blue baggy jeans and black leather gloves.

The motorbike they used during the robbery is described as a red, white and yellow Yamaha R1. It is not known at this stage who was the driver and who was the passenger.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Incident Room on 020 8247 7949, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.