THREE men from Clacton have been jailed for a total of nine years following an armed robbery at a post office in Holland-on-Sea.

Kenny Aldred, 19, of Sladburys Lane, Scott Warner, 24, of Wellesley Road and Carl Pinches, 26, of Maldon Way, raided the Stratford Road post office on October 3.

The gang threatened a female member of staff with a handgun and forced her to hand over a four-figure sum of cash.

Aldred was arrested two days later and charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

He was jailed for three years yesterday at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Warner was charged with robbery, possession of class A drugs and possession of an imitation firearm.

Pinches was charged with possession of an imitation firearm, taking a motor vehicle without consent and driving without a licence.

Both were jailed for three years.

Det Sgt Jules Cole, of Clacton CID, said: "This was a good investigation by the team at Clacton CID, supported by firearms officers, who located and arrested the suspects.

"These criminals have now been sent to prison and we are pleased that these men, who were prepared to carry a firearm to commit robbery, have been taken off the streets of Clacton."