A MASKED gunman threatened staff at Broughton Post Office before he and his accomplice hijacked a car on the A6 and made their escape.

The raider, wearing a ski mask and brandishing a handgun, burst into the post office around 5.10pm on Tuesday, April 6, grabbed the postmaster's wife, threatened her with the handgun and demanded money.

He ran off with an undisclosed sum of money to a Vauxhall Omega parked outside, where his accomplice was waiting.

The pair then drove towards Durton Lane where they abandoned the car and ran on foot back to the M6.

Detective Sergeant Andy Dixon of Preston CID said: "The men then approached a stationary car and forced the driver to take them along the M6.

"They told him to pull onto the hard shoulder and scrambled up the embankment to the bridge at Jepps Lane and Barton Lane."

The gunman is described as a white male, aged 25, 5ft 10ins, wearing a black ski hat, royal blue Adidas jacket and dark trousers.

The driver is described as a white male, wearing a hooded grey anorak and dark-rimmed glasses.

DS Dixon added: "Everyone involved in the incident is unharmed but very badly shaken.

"We are appealing for people who drove down Jepps Lane or Barton Lane on Tuesday afternoon or evening to come forward."

Call 01772 203203 with information.

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