A Romney Marsh man and a teenager have today admitted carrying out the raid on Aldington Post Office last month.

The two masked raiders stormed into the premises in Roman Road armed with a crowbar and an imitation firearm and escaped with cash and stamps.

They were spotted fleeing over fields by horsewoman Catherine Sugden who chased after them.

Now Ryan Pryce, 24, from Rectory Road, St Mary In The Marsh, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are facing a long period in custody.

The two pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and were remanded in custody.

They will be sentenced in June after the preparation of reports to decide just what danger they pose to the public.

Prosecutor Jim Harvey said the two had fashioned masks out of clothing before going to the post office.

Initially the snatched £100 from a till before the gunman forced his way behind a counter.

As the robber with the iron bar kept the post office staff away, his pal took more money and stamps before fleeing in a car.

It was then that Catherine Sugden came across them while she was out riding last week.

Not realising who they were but suspicious that they were thieves, she galloped after them for 500 yards.

The bandits got away but she alerted police who launched a massive manhunt with armed officers and a helicopter.