A 61-year-old man has been left shaken after his post office was struck by robbers brandishing hammers.

Frank Miles was behind the counter at the post office and general store he has owned for 23 years in Southfleet Road, when a gang burst in shortly before 3pm yesterday.

Three robbers came into the shop while one waited in a car outside. Mr Miles said they were carrying a sledge hammer and a claw hammer.

Mr Miles said: “They smashed in the window [of the post office booth], forced their way through and assaulted me – they took what money there was.

“I managed to phone the police and they smashed the phone up. The guy that was sitting in the car pipped the horn and they ran out.”

Mr Miles suffered cuts and bruises but did not require hospital treatment.

Kent Police said it is investigating and that officers and crime scene investigators attended. Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on 101.