Police were today hunting masked raiders who broke into a post office and tied up its managers before escaping with the contents of a safe.

Three men wearing boiler suits and balaclavas broke into Fiskerton Post Office, near Lincoln, at 2.35am yesterday.

Lester Tyler and Lynn Davison, who manage the business, were tied up and threatened with baseball bats during the frightening attack.

Their two children were asleep at the time and were not aware of the incident.

The robbers broke into a safe and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

They then fled the scene after taking the keys to the couple’s silver Renault Megane.

The car was later found abandoned in Montaigne Crescent, Glebe Park, Lincoln, at about 4.30am.

Officers cordoned off the post office and forensic experts have carried out tests at the scene.

Inspector Pete Bray of Lincolnshire Police said the officers were appealing for three specific pieces of information.

“We want to speak to anyone who may have seen men acting suspiciously around the post office, either at the time of the robbery, or in the days leading up to the incident,” he said.

“Secondly, anyone who saw the family’s Renault Megane being dumped in Lincoln early on Sunday morning should contact us.

“And we are also appealing for information regarding a pale blue K-reg Ford Escort, which was abandoned in Orchard Road, Fiskerton.”

A 34-year-old man has since been arrested and is in custody at Lincoln police station.

Yesterday the couple were staying at a friend’s house. Police have said they were extremely shocked but did not require hospital treatment.

News of the robbery has shocked the village community in Fiskerton.

Landlady at the Carpenter’s Arms pub in High Street, Kaye Cockram, said: “The robbery comes as a great shock. You think you are safe in a village like this – people still leave their doors open. I hope they catch these men – they are scum.”

Retired couple Rita (70) and Vic Smith (73), of High Street, said the post office was essential to the village.

“We use the post office a lot – we pay bills, buy telephone cards and pick up prescriptions from there,” Mrs Smith said.

“I hope this robbery does not affect the future of the post office.”

Mr Smith added: “The only time we see any police in the village is when they drive through. I think CCTV would be a useful deterrent.”

And Sylvia Melbourne (65), of Ferry Street, said: “My main concern is that they have not been caught – where are they going to target next?”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01522) 532222.