A 79-YEAR-OLD man has admitted attempting to rob a Dorchester post office.

Robert Anthony Newnham appeared at Dorchester Crown Court a week after he entered Victoria Park Post Office in Maud Road and claimed to have a gun.

Police swooped on the post office last Friday morning after Newnham demanded money from postmaster Hugh Quinn.

Mr Quinn described how the would-be robber said he was armed and had his hand in his pocket as if he was pointing a gun.

Newnham, of no fixed abode, was arrested at the scene and no weapon was recovered.

At court Newnham appeared wearing a dark top and woolly fleece and spoke only to plead guilty to a charge of attempting to rob Mr Quinn of a quantity of cash.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and Newnham was remanded in custody until the sentencing.