POLICE in Rossendale are liaising with the Greater Manchester force, following an attempted armed robbery on Crawshawbooth Post Office.

Two masked men entered the post office at 2pm on Tuesday and used a sledge hammer to smash the safety glass and when a struggle ensued with sub postmaster Philip Boyd, the second man struck Mr Boyd on the side of a head with what was believed to be a handgun.

They left empty-handed in a red Honda Civic but switched to a white saloon possibly a Volvo 340 or 440 parked on Bonfire Hill Road.

Detective Sergeant Mick Collins said: "We are still appealing for anyone who saw anything to come forward.

"We are asking people to think back and try to remember if they saw any vehicles in that area at any time. We also want to know which direction the white car left the area and, if anyone has information, please contact Rossendale CID on 01706 237442."

He said the police were liaising with colleagues in Greater Manchester to follow up leads and were checking forensic evidence from the abandoned Honda Civic which had been previously stolen from Manchester and the post office.

Mr Boyd received minor cuts from the shattered glass. The post office will remain closed until Monday while the damage is repaired.