DETECTIVES are linking two armed robberies at the same post office in Medway in less than a year.

A man with a black hand gun walked into the sub-post office in Shirley Avenue, Davis Estate, at 9.45am on Thursday and demanded cash.

The terrified woman behind the counter handed over some money and the robber fled.

However, eye-witnesses say an elderly man waiting in the queue defiantly stuck his foot out, tripping the robber and sending him flying. The gunman quickly jumped to his feet and fled in the direction of Vale Road.

Medway Police have now issued this e-fit of a man they would like to question in connection with the incident.

He is described as 6ft 2in with dark curly hair and was wearing a blue fleece, jeans and white trainers.

He bears striking similarities to a man who robbed the same premises in November last year. Police are now linking the two incidents. The postmaster, who did not want to be named called the robber a "coward".

On both occasions he struck when there was a female member of staff behind the counter and women pensioners in the queue.

He added: "He frightens and intimidates them and therefore intends and selects his targets as vulnerable people. This is an extremely cowardly act on his part and he made no regard for the consequences of his actions."

Det Insp David Holmes said: "It is important that we identify and arrest this man as soon as possible before he has the opportunity to do this again.

"I would also ask anyone who may have information as the whereabouts of a blue Fiesta with yellow stripes on the sides, seen in the vicinity of the post office just prior to the offence, to come forward.

"We need to ascertain whether it is linked to the offence or whether it can be eliminated from our inquiry."

Det Insp Holmes added: "There are also two witnesses that we would like to speak to as a matter of urgency. The first is a grey haired man who was wearing a white shirt and dark coloured top.

"The offender pushed this man out of the way as he made his way out of the premises. The second witness is an 18 or 19-year-old man who was in an alleyway just off Concorde Avenue. He has long, blond, curly hair and was carrying a guitar."

Anyone with information is askedd to call Medway Police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.