A £25,000 reward is being offered to catch a suspected armed robber who carried out a violent raid on a Darwen bank.

And police last night took the appeal to the BBC’s Crimewatch television show.

The picture of suspect Lee Tansey, 30, from Salford, was broadcast on the show as detectives appealed for information about his whereabouts.

Detective Inspector Jill Johnston, who is leading the hunt, said: "We are hoping that someone watching Crimewatch or seeing his picture today in the Telegraph knows Lee Tansey and knows where he is.

"This was a very frightening experience for the people who were in the bank at the time and there is a significant reward available for anyone that helps to solve this serious crime.

"If anybody sees this man I urge them not to approach him but to contact police.”

On June 5 three men wearing balaclavas raided the Lloyds TSB, Duckworth Street, Darwen, just as staff were closing for the day.

Armed with a sledge hammer, crow bar and a machete, the gang threw an iron grid through the glass frontage in full view of shoppers and pedestrians.

They then threatened staff with the weapons to persuade them to hand over cash boxes.

They then made off with a 'significant' amount of cash.

A grey Audi A3 was waiting outside the bank.

Police found the car - which had been stolen from the Manchester area - on fire 10 minutes later, at the back of Robin Bank Road.

It is thought the gang, which is believed to be Manchester based, may then have fled in a black BMW.

Tansey is described as 6ft 1ins tall with a slim build and has dark coloured cropped hair. He also has two tattoos, one on his left bicep and another on the top of his right arm.

A spokesperson for Lloyds TSB said: “The reward upto £25,000 is offered because we takes crimes like this very seriously.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 01254 353353 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.