TWO armed robbers from Trowbridge and Warminster have been jailed for a total for a total of  18 years for raiding a post office near Salisbury on March 1.

Dwayne Gilling, 32, from Trowbridge, was found guilty of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm following a trial. He was sentenced to ten years imprisonment at Salisbury Crown Court today.

Raymond George Laurence, 33 from Westleigh, Warminster, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of an imitation firearm at an earlier hearing. He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

At around 8am on March 1 one of the men wearing a scarf over his face forced his way into the Downton post office and threatened the staff member.

He was brandishing an item in a plastic bag which the victim thought was a firearm. 

He grabbed the terrified victim, took thousands of pounds of cash and then ran out of the post office to his accomplice who was waiting in a blue BMW.

The car was later found abandoned in Salisbury City Centre.

Detective Constable Jem Horner said: "I am pleased with the sentence which reflects the seriousness of this crime.

"The members of staff was put through a terrifying ordeal that no-one should have to experience. She genuinely felt for her own safety and believed the suspect had a firearm.

"I would personally like to thank members of the local community for coming forward.

"There were many sightings that morning of a blue BMW in suspicious circumstances and from this information we were able to piece together its movements and trace the user which was a vital part of the investigation."

The judge commended DC Horner and said he would be writing to the chief constable as he was so impressed by the officer's investigation.