A PENDLE postmaster and his wife, targeted by a gang of armed robbers, have told police how they were tied up and held at their home before being driven to Preston and abandoned in their own car.

Police revealed today at least three men wearing dark clothing and balaclavas attacked postmaster Roger Clarkson and his wife Marilyn at their home in the quiet village of Newchurch-in-Pendle.

The couple, who run the Padiham Post Office, in Burnley Road, were tied up and held at the address overnight.

Detectives said they were then bundled into their blue Volkswagen Golf car and driven 25 miles away, where they were abandoned in the vehicle in Walton-le-Dale area of Preston.

They told police they were driven around for at least an hour in the Golf, registration number A6 EWE, at 5.30am yesterday before being abandoned in Mill Lane, off Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale.

During this time detectives said a robbery was carried out at the couple's post office in Padiham.

The couple, who were shaken but not injured, where discovered tied up in the car by a passer-by at 8.50am.

Detectives said the men had a number of weapons but are satisfied that no firearms were used during the raid.

Officers are unsure how many offenders there were, but three men were seen wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

A police spokesman said: "It is difficult to establish how many offenders were involved.

"We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen any suspicious activity at the couple's home address, or at the post office in Padiham.

"And anyone who saw the couple's vehicle being driven around after 5.30pm on Wednesday."

Anyone with information should contact Burnley Police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.