ARMED robbers raided a Prestwich bank after ramraiding a side wall.

They drove a stolen flat-back Ford Transit van into the side of the Royal Bank of Scotland building in Bury Old Road, Heaton Park, at 2.35pm yesterday.

As three of the gang entered through the hole in the wall, two other raiders burst through the front entrance. One man carried a machete and the other was brandishing what police believe was a sawn-off shotgun.

They escaped with an unknown quantity of cash.

All five raiders made their getaway in a stolen Subaru Impreza which was dumped in Randlesham Street, Prestwich, where it is believed they transferred into another vehicle.