MASKED men hit a social club employee over the head with a baseball bat during an early-morning armed raid in which they escaped with a substantial sum of money.

Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, four masked men broke into Atherton Liberal Club in Flapper Fold Lane as staff

were locking the back doors of the club. The raiders, armed with baseball bats, struck a 48-year-old man, and both male staff members were forced inside the building, where they were tied up.

Staff at the club were unavailable for comment yesterday, as police were still conducting interviews as we went to press.

Three of the men are described as 5ft 7in tall, the fourth is 5ft 10in tall and of average build. They were all wearing dark clothing and balaclavas. One was also wearing a scarf and baseball cap.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time to contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7253 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.