STAFF at a rural Gwent post office were left "badly shaken" after a raid at their premises yesterday.

Two men are believed to be behind the raid at Trellech Post Office, which happened just after 3am.

Arriving in a stolen red Kia car, the men smashed the window of the post office and made off with several packets of cigarettes from the shop area.

The men, thought to be white and in their 20s, are believed to have driven from the scene after they were disturbed when Robert and Linda Williams, who run and live above the premises raised the alarm.

A Consignia spokeswoman said although nobody was hurt in the burglary, the incident left the couple "badly shaken."

The spokeswoman told the Argus last night: "There was no loss to the post office but some items were taken from the retail side of the shop. I can also confirm there were no injuries, but the members of staff are badly shaken by the incident."

The spokeswoman also stressed that "this kind of incident is quite rare and luckily nobody was injured."

A Gwent police spokesman said the two men stole the car from Upper Church Street, Mon-mouth, earlier that day.

He added: "They smashed a window and reached in and took cigarettes until the people living above the post office raised the alarm."

The raid has been condemned by local member for Trellech United ward and leader of the Independent group, County Councillor Ashley Thomas.

He said: "The post office is a vital commodity for this area. "It is one of only a couple of post offices between Chepstow and Monmouth and it is a shame when these things happen. I just hope they are not too traumatised by this." Anyone with information should contact Chepstow or Monmouth police on 01291 623993 or 01600 712321.