Police are currently searching a property in Workington in connection with an armed robbery in Maryport this morning.

An area of Moss Bay Road has been cordoned off and armed officers have been deployed as a precaution.

Police say there is no perceived threat to members of the public.

An armed man struggled with a 78-year-old woman as he tried to rob the post office late this morning.

Armed police then launched a manhunt in west Cumbria following the raid.

Staff at the post office in High Street, Maryport, were left terrified after being threatened by a man with a firearm. He made off with an undisclosed amount of money.

Detective inspector Dan St Quintin said: “We take all incidents involving a firearm with the utmost seriousness and are continuing to search for this offender.

“Although no-one was hurt, the three members of staff in the post office at the time were understandably left very upset by the incident.

"The suspect struggled with a 78-year-old lady who has worked in that post office for years.

"I would like to encourage anyone with any information at all to contact police to help us trace this offender and bring him to justice.”

No one was harmed during the incident.

The offender is described as about 6ft tall, between 40 to 50 years old, of slim build.

He was wearing a dark shiny puffa jacket with the hood up during the incident which happened at about 11.30am today.

High Street was closed for four hours while officers carried out inquiries.