TWO men tried to smash their way into the post office in Harwood.

The pair used a sledge-hammer to try and break down the wall at the rear of the premises in Lea Gate at around 9pm on Tuesday.

But the men were forced to flee empty-handed when residents in the area heard the loud banging and called the police.

The would-be thieves ran off before officers arrived, leaving the sledgehammer behind.

The hammer has been sent for forensic tests.