A POSTMASTER was injured when masked gunmen smashed their way into his shop, firing a weapon three times.

The three-man gang struck at Sunnybank Post Office, Whitefield, at 9.55am yesterday, forcing their way into the premises armed with a sledgehammer and automatic blank firing pistol.

The gun was fired three times and the post master attacked with the hammer as the raiders made off with a haul of cash and blank vehicle excise licences.

But their escape was thwarted when the Rover 214 they left the scene in, which had been stolen from Whitefield on December 30, was involved in an accident on nearby Vernon Road.

No one was injured and the car was abandoned on Parr Lane, Unsworth, with the gang transferring to another vehicle. The gunman is described as white, 5ft 11ins tall, of a medium build and was wearing dark clothing. The two other men were also white, 5ft 7ins tall and slim and wearing dark clothes. The getaway driver is white and wore dark clothes.

Anyone with information should contact Whitefield police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.