A COMMUNITY is in shock after the village shop it had worked tirelessly to establish came under attack this week.

Police arrested three men after an armed robbery at Cromhall post office and store on Tuesday.

It is understood a small amount of cash from the till float was taken.

The trio appeared before North Avon magistrates in Yate on Wednesday, charged with robbery and possession of a firearm.

The men - a 21-year-old from Soundwell, South Gloucestershire, a 24-year-old from Fishponds, Bristol, and 40-year-old, of no fixed abode - were all remanded in custody. They will next appear in court on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the community shop, which has recently won an award for Best Rural Post Office for the South and West, said: "The villagers have pulled together and worked hard to create this shop and build it up as a community amenity.

"Everyone is pretty shaken up by what has happened and it is quite daunting. But we are determined that the store will remain in business."