AN armed robber fled a Prestwich post office empty handed when a quick-thinking cashier set alarm bells ringing.

The masked raider walked into the Heaton Park post office in Bury Old Road on Wednesday (Feb 11) morning and, pulling a hand-gun from his jacket, demanded the counter clerk hand over cash.

But the cashier then hit the alarm button forcing the would-be thief to flee.

The man jumped into a waiting car, being driven by an accomplice, which was later found abandoned at Sainsbury's car park at the Longfield Precinct, Prestwich.

Police investigating the attempted robbery are appealing for witnesses to the 9.30am incident. The masked thief is a white male, 5ft 8ins tall, medium build with black hair and a local accent. The driver of the stolen vehicle is also a white male, aged 25 to 29, slim build with short black hair.

Anyone with information can contact police on 856 8151 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Last week a gunman fired a blank cartridge in a failed robbery at Sedgley Park post office in Bury New Road.

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