MASKED raiders wielding a crowbar and sledgehammer threatened security staff before making off with a ‘significant’ amount of cash in a late night bank robbery.

Police said two armed robbers pounced as two G4S employees were delivering cash to replenish the ATM at the Santander bank in Burnley Road, Padiham.

One of the security guards was in a G4S van and the other in the bank when they were confronted by the masked men, officers said.

They demanded cash and made threats before using a crowbar and sledgehammer to force their way into the bank.

The offenders are thought to have fled the scene towards Burnley in a silver Mazda 6, which was found in Shakespeare Street, Padiham, today.

Although nobody was hurt during the robbery, which happened at around 11.15pm last night, Detective Inspector Jim Elston, of Burnley Police, said the G4S staff had been left ‘shaken’.

He said: “A significant investigation has now been launched with officers conducting forensic examinations at the crime scene and carrying out inquiries with local residents and businesses in the area.

“In addition, we are checking CCTV to try to trace the movements of the car and to identify the exact make and model of the vehicle.

“However, information from members of the public could well hold the key to solving this crime. I am appealing for anyone with any information to come forward. In particular, we are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the vehicle around the time of the robb-ery or immediately afterwards to come forward.

“If you saw a silver car, perhaps being driven erratically or at speed, then we want to hear from you.

“Finally, if you spotted anything suspicious in the Burnley Road area either on the night of the robbery or in the days leading up to it, perhaps someone watching the building, then we want to hear from you.”

Traders whose premises are next to the bank today expressed their shock at the robbery.

Mark Jinkinson, who owns an optometrist two doors down, said: “It is a bit of a shock because you don’t expect this sort of thing to happen on your doorstep.

"Padiham is quite a small, quiet town, so it is a surprise.”

Paul Bracewell, manager of the Harry Garlick shop next door, said it had been targeted by robbers in the past.

He said: “I suppose it is a bit of a shock, but we were ramraided a few years ago.”

A GS4 Cash Solutions (UK) spokesman said: “G4S Cash Solutions (UK) continues to work closely with trade unions, the police, the Government and local communities to develop initiatives that will curtail the growing number of violent attacks taking place on the cash-in-transit industry.”

A Santander spokesman said the bank would do all it could to help police with their inquiries.

Anyone with information should call Lancashire Police on 0845 1253545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.