THREE men, including a member of staff who at the time was reported to have been beaten and tied up, have appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with an armed robbery at Rishton Post Office in June.

Mohammed Faiyza Iqbal, 32, of Maple Crescent, Preston, whose family owned the High Street shop, Avaiz Zamad, 21, of Blackpool Road, Preston, and Terry Michael Yarwood, 34, of Trafford Stret, Preston, are all charged with conspiracy to steal £185,699 belonging to Post Office Ltd. and having an imitation handgun for use in the course of theft.

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Iqbal is also charged with intending to pervert the course of justice by making a false allegation to police that he had been the victim of a robbery.

All three were sent on bail to Burnley Crown Court where they will appear on January 13.