The woman was threatened by masked raiders who stormed the branch. But she bravely defied their orders to hand over cash.

The quick-thinking manageress' actions have been praised by police following the incident, which was reported on the Mail's website on Christmas Eve.

The two raiders burst into the shop, with one brandishing a shotgun, and demanded that the woman let them behind the counter.

But police say the raid was foiled after the worker dived to the floor, hit the panic alarm and then ignored the raiders' orders to open up.

The raiders' fled the Post Office in Station Road West, Trimdon Station, empty-handed and made their getaway in a green Vauxhall Vectra.

The vehicle was found abandoned and burned out soon after at the nearby Wingate nature reserve.

Police have not ruled out a link to a raid at the North Road Post Office, in Wingate, which was reported in the Mail two weeks ago.

Acting Detective Inspector Paul Colling, of Durham Police, praised the woman's actions.

He said: "There's no doubting the counter clerk's refusal to respond in very difficult circumstances to the threats and demands of the would-be robbers meant they got nothing from their raid.

"At this time of year there are, perhaps, more inviting targets than usual for opportunist thieves."

In the immediate aftermath of the raid, a man was arrested at his home in the village.

But he was quickly eliminated from inquiries and released without charge.

Police say one of the raiders was described as 6ft-tall, of medium build, and was wearing an orange fluorescent Post Office jacket.

His accomplice, described as 5ft 5ins-tall and of stocky to fat build, was wearing a green fluorescent jacket.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place on Tuesday around 5pm, to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact Peterlee Police on (0345) 6060365 or Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800) 555111.