DETECTIVES hunting an armed robber have released an E-fit image of one of the suspects.

The raider held up the Hengistbury Head Post Office in Broadway, Southbourne, with a handgun at just before 9am on Friday, May 5.

No-one was injured in the raid but staff were left shaken. It is not known whether the weapon was real or a replica.

The offender then stole cash from the till before making off in the direction of Kingsley Avenue.

Police believe two men were involved in the incident and they were last seen at the junction of Kingsley Avenue and Braemar Avenue, getting into a small silver car.

Dorset Police, who were called just after 9am, sealed off the area and forensics officers were called to the scene to carry out a detailed examination.

The post office and convenience store had been previously targeted in an armed robbery in 2012. On that occasion, store owner Graham Shard had chased the robber away.

The man who entered the shop was described as white, aged in his late 40s, around six feet tall and with a thin face.

He was wearing a black baseball cap, but is thought to be bald or to have very short cropped hair. He was also wearing what was described as a blue material choker round his neck.

Last month police released CCTV images of two men they wished to speak with as part of their investigation.

Detective Constable Michelle Lawrence, of Bournemouth CID, described it as a “very distressing incident” and called for anyone in the shop when it took place who had not yet contacted police to get in touch.

On Monday, only a month after the raid in Hengistbury Head, a robber with a handgun held up a One Stop convenience store in Seabourne Road, Bournemouth.

He made off with cash in a till tray in the direction of Southbourne.

Again, no one was injured in the raid, and it was not clear whether the weapon was real or a replica. The next day police arrested a 43-year-old local man on suspicion of robbery.

Police have not linked the two incidents.