DETECTIVES are trying to trace a getaway car used in an attempted robbery in Kearsley which left two members of staff injured.

The two victims bravely fought off a gang of four robbers who were armed with metal bars.

They had just closed the Texaco service station in Manchester Road on Monday at around 10pm when four men in balaclavas approached them on the forecourt.

The gang threatened the cashiers and demanded the keys to the door.

A minor scuffle broke out during which the two employees were struck with a metal bar.

The robbers fled empty-handed in a silver Mini Cooper.

Rafiq Patel, aged 35, from Bolton, suffered a head injury and his colleague Imran Patel, aged 27, also from Bolton, was treated for a cut to his lip.

Paramedics treated the two at the service station before taking them to the Royal Bolton Hospital for a check up. They were later discharged.

The robbers were described as wearing dark clothing, gloves and balaclavas.

The two employees were too shaken to talk about their ordeal but service station owner Shafiq Patel, aged 48, from Bolton said: "They had just closed the service station at the end of their shift when four men appeared from the back of the premises.

"They demanded the keys to the door but my employees refused. There was a fight and the robbers ran off. They were treated in hospital but were very shocked. They are recovering at home."

Det Con Gary Knox from Bolton CID said: "We are appealing to anyone who has any information about the incident or saw anything suspicious to come forward. We are particularly keen to trace the silver Mini Cooper which was used by the gang. I would urge anyone who saw the car before or after the robbery to contact us."

Anyone with information is asked to call Det Con Gary Knox at Bolton CID on 0161 856 0957.