POSTMISTRESS Ann Goss has vowed to carry on her business despite a brutal raid in which she was beaten around the head by thieves wielding baseball bats.

The 54-year-old, whose post office in Patney was raided three weeks ago, spoke for the first time about her ordeal as she visited pupils at Chirton School to thank them for their get well messages.

She said she will be keeping the post office open. "We have lost so many village post offices and there are a few others that might close in the area when the people running them at the moment retire,'' she said

"So I shall keep on, at least for the moment. I'm not going to let the criminals win."

Mrs Goss was left with cuts, bruises and severe shock after the thieves pounced on her when she got out of her car on June 26.

Three or four men wearing balaclavas attacked her. One of them struck her on the head with a baseball bat, narrowly missing her eye.

They then forced her into the post office stores and made her open the safe. They took thousands of pounds of cash and Mrs Goss's handbag with contents, worth a total of about £80, before making their escape.

Mrs Goss said she and her husband Peter were touched by the support they received from the communities in the villages of Patney, Chirton and Marden.

Though they received dozens of bouquets of flowers and messages of sympathy from members of the community, they were particularly touched by the cards made by Chirton schoolchildren.

Mrs Goss said: "They were so lovely they made me cry.

"Of course, I know most of the children because they come into the post office to buy their penny sweets and they are very dear to me."

Diane Cairns, the mother of pupils Hannah and Luke Cairns, had made and iced a cake for her.

Acting headteacher Cathy Drury said: "The children were very upset to hear what happened to Mrs Goss. "They know her really well and it was their idea to send her cards that they made themselves."

The children said they were sad to hear about the attack and wanted to make Mrs Goss feel better. "They certainly achieved that," said Mrs Goss.

Villagers are still angry that Mrs Goss, who is seen as a member of the family, as well as a friend and postmistress, was put through such an ordeal.

Patney Parish Council chairman Nigel Partridge described Mrs Goss as a warm and friendly person who would go out of her way to help anyone.

He said: "I particularly remember we sent the kids to pick up a tin of fruit. She didn't have any in the shop so she gave them one from her own larder. That's the sort of person she is."

Mr and Mrs Goss have lived in the village for 14 years and Mrs Goss has run the little post office stores from her home in Woodland Road for eight of them.

She was also heavily involved in organising the village's Millennium celebrations.

Police are still appealing for information about the three or four men, thought to be in their late teens or early 20s, who carried out the raid.

They drove off in a silver-coloured hatchback, possibly a Subaru Impreza, although another vehicle might have been involved as well.

Detective Constable Sue Minchin said: "People in the village are still shocked about the crime. Imagine how you would feel if your mum was attacked like this.

"A few people have come forward following the Gazette article but we still need more information, especially about the silver Subaru.

"There may have been another car involved, so details of suspicious vehicles in the area would be welcome."

Anyone with any information should contact DC Sue Minchin at Devizes police station on (01380) 722141.