AN armed robber who stole mail bags from a terrified driver has failed to win a cut in his 11-and-a-half-year jail sentence.

The robbery occurred at the Clitheroe postal depot on February 24 last year.

Postman and driver Andrew Walsh was confronted with a man armed with a double barrelled shotgun, while a second man had a pistol.

Philips claimed he was not the man, identified by police as him, depicted on CCTV footage.

Mr Justice Mitting, sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court said the Crown had not sought to say what role Philips played in the robbery, contending it had been a "joint enterprise".

Philips, 21, of Harpurhey, Manchester, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court last November, after being found guilty of robbery and two counts of having a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Two co-defendants, who admitted their roles in the crime, received eight and five-year sentences.

Mr Justice Mitting, sitting with Lord Justice Rose and Mr Justice Walker, refused to cut Philips' term.

He rejected claims it was excessive for a man who was aged 20 at the time of the offence and who had no previous convictions for serious crime.