THREE masked men brandishing a machete and claw hammers tried to abduct a video salesman after a robbery in Little Hulton last night.

The thugs attacked and robbed the 41-year-old man before driving off in his Transit van with him still inside.

Fortunately the men were seen by a passing police patrol. They fled after abandoning the van two minutes later after a brief chase.

The shocked owner of the mobile video library was released unhurt.

The robbery, in Greenheys Road, Little Hulton, is the second in the area over the last four days. A milkman was robbed of £400 in the same street last Friday.

Police said the men, all wearing balaclava masks, burst through the doors at the back of the van at 9.40pm.

They threatened the owner with a machete and two hammers and forced him to the floor grabbing his wallet, which contained £65.

One thug then drove off with his accomplices and the businessman inside. The machete was abandoned and recovered when they fled after the police chase.

The men are all white. One is aged about 20, of stocky build and was wearing a black balaclava and dark clothing. The other two are aged 15 to 16 and slim. All three spoke with Salford accents.

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