ARMED robbers hit a security guard and stole a quantity of cash from the Royal Bank of Scotland in the second armed raid in Ramsbottom in two days.

The guard, working for a security firm, suffered bruising and was initially taken to hospital but is now recovering at home and is not believed to be in a serious condition.

Greater Manchester Police said the incident happened at 10.51am yesterday when three balaclava-clad men went into the bank on Bridge Street brandishing what is believed to be a gun and threatened staff.

They then attacked the security guard with what is described as a monkey wrench type implement and stole an undisclosed quantity of cash before making their escape in a stolen BMW car.

The car was later found abandoned on Bye Road, Shuttleworth.

Police are appealing for anyone with information who has not already given a statement to the police to contact Bury CID on 0161 856 8150.

On Monday at 6.20am a man grabbed hold of the manager of Ramsbottom Service Station and threatened her with a knife as she was opening up the premises on Stubbins Lane.

He escaped with an undisclosed quantity of cash, and although shaken by the incident the 25-year-old manager was still at work and otherwise uninjured.

A spokesman for the garage said: "The man was about 5ft 9ins to 5ft 11ins, wearing dark clothing and his face was covered with a scarf, possibly a bob cap and a hood.

"We do not know if he had a vehicle because we were inside. The bank is only 100 yards away from the service station."