A GANG of armed robbers escaped with tens of thousands of pounds in a cash-machine raid outside a Burnley store.

Security guards were targeted at the machine at the One Stop Shop in Colne Road at shortly before 5.30pm yesterday. Police said a gang of three men wearing balaclavas and one carrying a knife attacked two guards working for Securicor, who were delivering to the ATM.

One of the guards received minor injuries to his arm and was treated for shock at Burnley General Hospital. No-one else was hurt.

Police said a "substantial" amount of cash was taken.

Detectives are not ruling out a link between yesterday's hit on the convenience store and a raid on Securicor guards outside the Spar shop at the corner of Brunshaw Road and Brownside Road in October, when robbers escaped with £50,000.

Police said a similar method was used in both robberies and that the gangs both appeared to be from outside the area.

The raid comes just a week after police in Lancashire launched Operation Vault, an initiative aimed at cracking down on cash-in-transit robberies.

The operation will see extra officers drafted in from specialist departments across the force and the use of ANPR teams throughout the county to intercept travelling criminals.

Police will be working closely with colleagues across the region to share intelligence and tackle cross-border issues.

But today they said the fact the raid had taken place during the high-profile operation was not embarrassing.

In the latest raid the gang got into a waiting black BMW 325ci convertible bearing false plates, RN52WBY, driven by a fourth man.

The car did a U-turn on Colne Road and sped back towards the town centre. It was later found abandoned on Back Cleaver Street, near to Colbran Street where the gang changed vehicles and made off.

Det Sgt Derry Crorken said: "This was a serious incident and it happened at a very busy time when many people must have been returning home from work. We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the robbery to get in touch. A substantial amount of money was stolen."

The robbers were described as white, two were heavily built men, around six ft, 30-40 years, one of whom was carrying a knife and spoke with a Manchester accent. The third was smaller build, five ft seven ins. All wore balaclavas and dark clothing.

Store manager Ivan Catlow, 30, said it was the first time the machine was targeted .

He added the members of staff on duty at the time of the robbery were not involved and none was working at the store this morning.

He said: "When they saw what was happening they got out of the way and went into the back office.

"They were a bit traumatised but unhurt.

"One of them was supposed to be working tonight but has taken it off."