MASKED robbers armed with a gun and machete carried out a terrifying raid at a Post Office.

The three men burst into Tottington Post Office in Market Street, Tottington, and escaped with a "substantial" amount of cash.

The Post Office is offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the those responsible.

Det Insp Simon Collier, of Bury CID, said the raid took place at a busy time of day last Thursday.

"The schools had just finished and I believe there would have been a lot of people around, especially parents and pupils from the nearby high school," he said.

"I would appeal to anybody who thinks they saw something suspicious at the time to get in touch."

The gang burst into the post office and threatened two shop workers shortly before 4.45pm.

One of the men jumped on to the counter and kicked open the glass hatch before opening a door to let a second man through. The men threatened two women post office workers, before grabbing cash from the office.

The three men then ran out of the post office and escaped in a silver Fiat coupe in the direction of Bury.

The car had been reported as stolen in the Bramhall area. It was found in Booth Street , Tottington, on Sunday.

All the raiders wore dark clothing. One of the gang is aged 23-25, around 5ft 11in tall and slim. A second man is said to be also around 5ft 11in tall and the third is about 5ft 6in tall. and is slim with short, dark hair.

A similar raid took place six days earlier when three masked men burst into the Morris Green Post Office in Morris Green Lane, Daubhill, and smashed the toughened glass screen. The three men fled empty handed after staff managed to press the security alarm.

Anyone who has information about either robbery should call CID at Bury on 0161 856 4647 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.