POLICE are searching for a “fat robber” who was one of the gang who carried out a terrifying bank raid.

Officers have now released a picture of the type of car the robbers used to flee the scene of the raid.

Three men pulled up in a stolen black Honda CRV outside Barclays Bank in Market Street, Westhoughton, at 11.50am on Tuesday.

Two got out of the car carrying ladders while the third — who is described as “unusually large” — threatened members of the public outside with a shotgun.

The others scaled the ladders up to the security screen of the bank and forced their way through the polystyrene ceiling and dropped behind the staff counter, where they threatened the cashiers with an axe.

But they panicked when heard the alarm go off, and fled emptyhanded.

They left in the stolen car, which was later found burned out. The car was fitted with a false number plate bearing the registration PO59 WOJ.

The car was parked up at the side of the Wheatsheaf pub just before a cash delivery van made a drop-off to the bank.

The man carrying the shotgun was said to be of an unusually large build, between 30 and 45- years-old, about 6ft tall and had a large beer belly and large head.

He spoke with a Manchester accent.

Det Con Adam Gleave said: "The level of violence and intimidation these men used to get their hands on some cash was quite frightening.

Members of the public who were outside the bank and simply going out their daily businesses were faced with a gun pointed at them and threats made, which must have been a terrifying experience.

"In particular, I would like to appeal to anyone who has information about the location of the stolen car in the run-up to and after the robbery itself. We know it was parked up lying in wait for the cash van to arrive but I am keen to hear from anyone with more information.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 5830 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.