A KNIFEMAN threatened to kill a customer in a gang raid at a post office in Leigh.

The gang, who were also armed with a pepper spray, ran into the premises in Mosley Common Road at around 2.20pm on Friday. One of the robbers grabbed hold of a 61-year-old male customer and held the knife to his head.

The other two men tried to smash the glass screen and break down the reinforced door leading to the cash area of the post office.

When they failed, one of the gang ran to the front door of the premises and shouted for the others to leave.

The knifeman grabbed hold of another customer, a 49 year-old woman from Tyldesley, and threatened to kill her if the 51 year-old postmistress did not hand over cash.

A quantity of money was handed to the gang who fled in a stolen silver Volkswagon Golf which sped off towards the direction of Tyldesley. It was discovered short time later in fields at the rear of MacDonald Avenue in Farnworth. A 14-year-old who was attempting to start the car was arrested on suspicion of theft.