AN OFF-duty East Lancashire bobby told today how he and his six-months-pregnant wife thwarted a bank robbery.

PC Andy Maltman, who serves in Great Harwood, and his policewoman wife Jill, based in Blackburn, were driving home when she spotted a black VW Golf pull up outside the bank.

Andy, 38, who has seven years of police experience, leapt from his car and cleared the street of people before confronting the masked raiders, one of whom was armed with a sledgehammer, at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Adlington, near Chorley.

Andy shouted to the would-be robbers that they were surrounded and they fled, at around 5pm on Tuesday.

He said: "We were driving home when Jill spotted the car pull up outside the bank and it was obvious they were going to try something.

"We pulled up and I got out and cleared the street before going into the bank.

"I shouted at them that I was a police officer and that the bank was surrounded. I guess that was a bit cheeky with just Jill sitting in the car but I had to think on my feet.

"They gave me a bit of verbals, but then obviously decided it wasn't worth the risk and pushed past me out of the bank. I certainly don't think I did anything heroic, I just went onto auto-pilot and police training kicked in."

Andy and Jill, 25, who live near Adlington. have been praised for their actions by senior officers.

Supt Warren Turner said: "The actions by Andy and Jill Maltman can only be commended.

"Andy for showing bravery in confronting two offenders armed with offensive weapons, and for Jill to remain in the car in constant contact with on-duty officers has no doubt foiled what would have been a serious crime.

"The fact that no-one was hurt is also testament to their actions.

"Of course we would not recommend that members of the public get involved like this when crimes are in progress but Andy is a highly trained officer."

The VW Golf, driven by a third man, was later found abandoned. Police are appealing for information on the attempted robbery.

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.