A POSTMASTER who fled the IRA bombing of Manchester is counting the cost of an armed raid on his village shop.

A masked gunman hid behind the cash counter at Derek Burgess' Thirst Class store in Goostrey before threatening a shop assistant and demanding cash from the till.

Assistant Di Blake, 59, was left traumatised after the man, wearing a gauze mask, sprang from behind the desk, produced a revolver and demanded the takings from the shop in Main Road on Sunday night.

He walked out of the general store and post office with an undisclosed amount of money, leaving Mrs Blake, who was alone, to raise the alarm.

Postmaster Mr Burgess, 40, said: 'I was alerted by a buzzer in my home which staff ring if they have a problem. When I got there the man had gone but Di was shaking with shock.

'I plan to take advice from the police and see how the staff feel.

But at the moment I remain undaunted because you can't live your life according to what a few idiots might do.' Mr Burgess, his wife Amanda and their two children, have been hit hard by criminals before.

They arrived in Goostrey four years ago after fleeing Manchester following the massive IRA bomb attack on the Arndale Centre where he had a similar store.

The masked man was described as white, about 5ft 7in tall, with short, mousey brown hair, light hair on his upper lip and wearing a light waterproof. He is believed to be about 20 years old.

Detective Constable Glyn Leech, of Congleton Police, said: 'A man had managed to get into the shop unseen just before 8pm and crouched behind the till while she was in another part of the premises. When she returned he confronted her and appeared very agitated.

'At this point he produced a handgun and the assistant gave him an amount of cash before he fled on foot.

'We would appeal for information from any members of the public who may have seen a vehicle outside, noticed anyone suspicious nearby at that time, or who visited the shop before or after the incident.'

- If you can help call DC Glyn Leech on 01244 613534, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.