TWO armed raiders struck at a post office in Brompton High Street near Gillingham today, just hours before the Queen was due to visit nearby Chatham Maritime.

Witnesses said the two robbers were wearing balaclavas and one of them was carrying a gun. They stormed the post office between 9.30am and 10am. Minutes later the area was swarming with police cars and armed response officers.

It was unclear how much the robbers escaped with. It was understood that one of the robbers dropped a balaclava, which police are examining for evidence.

One witness, who didn't want to be named said: "We've heard that the raid was carried out by two black men. They obviously knew it was pension day."