ROBBERS armed with a shotgun threatened staff at a bank in Tyldesley on Thursday afternoon before escaping with a large quantity of cash.

Two masked men entered Lloyds TSB in Elliott Street at 1.40pm and pointed the weapon at the terrified workers behind the counter.

They grabbed money from the tills and escaped in a Ford Maverick which had been stolen from the Abram area the previous night.

A third man was waiting in the car and it was later found burnt out in Lilford Park, Leigh.

Gary Asher, of Leigh CID said: "This was a terrifying attack on the staff who were in the bank at the time and I am keen to speak to anyone who can help identify these men."

"We have spoken to a number of witnesses that were in Elliott Street but I also need to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious around the bank in the last few days or who may have seen the Ford Maverick being abandoned in Lilford Park."

The armed man is described as 5ft 6ins, medium build and was wearing a three-quarter length hooded jacket with the hood pulled over, jeans, white trainers and blue gloves.

He was accompanied by a second man of similar height and build. He was wearing a light and dark blue three-quarter length jacket, blue jeans and black leather-look gloves. He was carrying a large black hold-all.

Anyone with information is asked to call Leigh CID on 0161 856 7253 or Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.