GUARDS delivering cash to banks in the run-up to Christmas will be given armed police escorts.

Lancashire police have joined up with Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria and North Wales forces, in a bid to beat cash-in-transit robbers.

As well as armed officers, force helicopters will be used to guard deliveries.

And the British Security Industry Association is funding a scheme called 'Hawk Eye', in which cash deliveries will be secretly filmed from a special vehicle.

In recent years East Lancashire has been the focus of gangs targeting deliveries to cash points and banks.

Just last week, four balaclava-clad, machete-wielding raiders fled empty handed after targeting a delivery at the NatWest in Copy Nook, Blackburn.

In May armed robbers made off with thousands of pounds which was being collected by a guard from Asda, Colne.

And in April £40,000 was stolen from a guard delivering cash to the HSBC in Morrisons, Blackburn.

Regional co-ordinator Supt Ian Foster, said: "This initiative is a positive and pro-active partnership between the six police forces that serve communities across the North West and aims to put extra resources into reducing cash-in-transit robberies across the region.

"These robberies are taken very seriously by the police and by working together in partnership with neighbouring forces, we hope to use all the powers available to us to crack down on the offenders who make the lives of businesses and the public a misery.

"Initiatives to reduce cash-in-transit robberies have been incredibly successful throughout the North West -- and this additional proactive and co-ordinated approach sends a clear message to criminals that cash-in-transit crime will not be tolerated."

Supt Peter White added: "By joining forces with our neighbouring forces and the BSIA, we are hoping more people will be prepared to come forward to help these victims and bring those responsible to justice. I'd like to assure the public we will act on all reliable information we receive."