A BRAVE pensioner has vowed to return to work following an attempted robbery at a Gwent post office on Sunday.

Carol Jones, 71, from Newport, has been the postmaster at Graig y Rhacca post office in Machen for 30 years.

On Sunday, Mrs Jones was working alone at the post office. At around 11.20am, police say two men entered the post office and demanded cash. Officers believe a firearm was used.

Mrs Jones stood firm and told the two men to get out or she would call the police. Officers say that when the raiders were told this, they left the premises.

Mrs Jones’ son, Simon Jones, 47, said that his mother has only just realised how lucky she was.

He said: “They were only in there for 15 seconds, but I’m sure it felt much longer for her.

“It was a bit unreal for her and she has never encountered an incident like this before.

“My mother phoned me afterwards to ask if she should phone the police or not. Once I heard her talking, I knew she wasn’t badly harmed as it would’ve been a moment of blind panic had the police phoned me.”

He added: “At the time, she did not realise how serious it was; on reflection, she knows how lucky she was.

“But, she will just carry on and she is not going to let them beat her.

“She was even annoyed that the post office had to shut for four hours afterwards.”

Mrs Jones is due to return to work by the end of the week.

* A 16-year-old and a 21-year-old from the area have been arrested on suspicion of robbery. They remain in police custody.

Anyone with information relating to this incident, or anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area, is asked to call 101 quoting log 182 08/02/15.