A GUNMAN grabbed hundreds of pounds of Santa's Christmas charity cash in a daylight robbery yesterday. Brave John Goldsworthy, 64, the treasurer of the Rotary Club of Tyldesley was thrown to the floor as he tried to fight off his attacker in an Atherton alleyway.

But despite his best efforts the attacker, who had threatened the Rotary Club man with a hand gun, managed to snatch about £200 in coins. The money had been raised over the weekend on the club's Santa Sleigh in Tyldesley's Market Square and was due to be handed out to local charities.

As Mr Goldsworthy walked down the alleyway at 12.20pm to Atherton's Nat West bank he was set upon by the robber, who blocked his path by opening the door of a silver Vauxhall car in which he was the passenger. The Westhoughton man tried to escape, despite being threatened with the gun, but could not evade the robber. He even tried to hit out at the man with the heavy bag of coins but the plastic shopping bag split, littering the floor with plastic bank bags.

Today Mr Goldsworthy, who suffered cuts and bruises in the struggle, said: "You can't print what I think of these people. They should be locked up in a cell and the key should be chucked away."

The getaway car, which had been stolen from Lostock, was later found abandoned off Newbrook Road, between Bolton and Atherton.

Det Insp Steve Baldwin said: "It was a terrifying experience for the man. I regard these men as callous criminals."

Anyone who may have seen the attack, the car leaving the scene or the vehicle later being abandoned should contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7254.

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