ARMED robbers who held up a Chorley sub Post Office brandishing baseball bats escaped with around £27,000 in cash, police have revealed.

Officers are hunting two men after the attack on Astley Park sub post office at around 10.10am on Friday, March 26.

Customers at the post office, which is housed in Martin newsagents, one of a string of shops in Hallgate village centre, were threatened and told to stand still by the two men, one wearing a balaclava and the other a crash helmet.

One raider smashed the glass security partition on the counter before clambering over and snatching two bags containing cash.

The robbers escaped on a stolen motorbike, which was taken from the Blackpool area the week before.

Post office staff called police and officers sped after the high-powered Yamaha 400, D-registration motorcycle, which was travelling towards Leyland.

Although Lancashire Police's helicopter joined the hunt, police lost sight of the motorbike on Runshaw Lane, between Euxton and Leyland.

It was found around 45 minutes later, dumped at the back of Runshaw College between two classrooms.

Officers combed the area of Worden Park and cordoned off the post office and newsagents while forensic investigations took place. A baseball bat was recovered at the scene.

Both robbers are described as slim.

A spokesperson for Post Office Counters said they were thankful no one had been injured.

Anyone with information should call Chorley CID on 01257 269021.

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