A MASKED gunman terrorised customers and staff as he carried out a daylight raid on a Bolton bank.

People cowered in fear as the armed robber waved a shotgun around and made violent threats before escaping with £1,380.

The terrifying raid was carried out yesterday at the Barclays Bank in St Helens Road, Daubhill, Bolton.

Today detectives appealed for the public to help them catch the dangerous gunman.

The alarm was raised just after 3pm after the attacker forced a cashier to hand over a bag of money at the busy bank. As he ran out of the bank he was chased down Randal Street by two brave passers-by who were also threatened with the gun. But he managed to escape.

The gun was not fired but staff and customers were said to be badly shocked after the attack.

The man leading the investigation, Det Insp Mick Lay, said today: "Some people might think that is not a lot of money on the scale of things.

"But what we want to stress is that a number of innocent people were put in genuine fear for their lives by this dangerous attack. That is why it is vital anyone with any information should contact us."

The robber was wearing a balaclava during the raid, but he took this off as he ran away. He was white, in his early to mid 20s, of stocky build and with a chubby face. He was wearing a dark thigh-length jacket.

Anyone with information should contact Bolton CID on 0161 872 5050 or the free confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

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