Armed robbers attacked a security guard who was filling up a cash machine at a petrol station.

Police said at least three knife-wielding raiders were involved in the raid on the Securicor van driver at around 5.45pm on Tuesday at Middleforth Garage, Leyland Road, Penwortham.

The guard, who was delivering a cash to the ATM on the garage forecourt, was threatened and forced to hand over the cash.

He was taken to hospital to be treated for hand injuries and was later released.

A stolen blue Land Rover 90 defender used by the thieves was later abandoned and set on fire on nearby, Factory Lane, Penwortham. Its registration was K4 YRD.

Guy Stott, a director at Shell, who own the garage, said: "The member of staff I had working was very shaken.

"It's a frightening thing to happen and one of the customers on the forecourt was told in no uncertain terms to get away.

"It's the security guard I feel for because they are very vulnerable when they are out and about and they can never be guaranteed that it won't happen again."

Officers spent more than six hours collecting evidence at the scene and CCTV footage is being examined. Detective Sergeant John Wilkinson, of Leyland CID, said: "We are appealing for any information about this nasty incident from anyone who may have seen anything before, during or after.

"We're particularly interested to hear from anyone who may have seen any activity on Factory Lane as this is where the offenders are likely to have swapped to a geaway vehicle."

Anyone with information should contact Leyland police on 01772 415847 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.