MASKED men threatened security guards with a sledgehammer and crowbar in a ‘terrifying’ attempted robbery at a garage in Blackburn.

The security officers locked themselves in a gap behind the ATM machine at Three Arches Service Station with the cash they were guarding and raised the alarm when confronted by the would-be robbers.

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Detectives are now hunting the pair and a getaway driver who fled the Preston Old Road garage.

Police said the G4S guards were threatened by the two armed men as they filled up the exterior cash machine at the petrol station at around 7.30am yesterday.

Neither of the guards were injured in the attack but both were badly shaken.

Police said the men got into a waiting Mercedes A-class, which had false number plates.

The Mercedes, which is believed to have been stolen from an address in Altrincham last month, was found abandoned a short time later in Cherry Tree Lane, Blackburn.

It is believed on Cherry Tree Lane the two men and the male getaway driver got in to a white Volkswagen Scirocco.

The two failed robbers are described as being of average height and build and both were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and appealing for witnesses.

Det Sgt Ian Procter said: “Yesterday morning two security guards were simply going about their work when they were subjected to what must have been terrifying ordeal.

“It is thanks to the quick-thinking of one of the guards, who saw what was happening, that the offenders were unable to make off with anything. Thankfully neither of the guards was hurt although they have both been left extremely shaken.

“We are now appealing for any information which could help us find those responsible.

“If you saw the incident, either of the cars around the time of the incident or have any other information about it, we would urge you to get in touch with us.”

Community leaders said they were ‘shocked ‘ to hear the garage had been targeted.

Cllr Derek Hardman, who represents the Livesey with Pleasington ward, said: “Somebody rang me first thing to tell me police had taped off an area around the cash machine. It was very shocking.

“Preston Old Road is very busy throughout the day and that cash machine is exposed at the front so I really don’t understand why they chose to target that one. It must have been an opportunistic thing.

“They have obviously taken a chance.

“I am just glad nobody was injured and they didn’t get away with anything.

“Behaviour like this is completely unacceptable and I hope police catch them quickly.”

Grace Livesey, 90, who lives on Preston Old Road, said: “I woke up again at around eight o’clock there was lots of police.

“It was really shocking to see. Everything has gone well since the garage has re-opened.

“It is normally quiet and safe around here and everybody behaves themselves. Then you get something like this. I have been here 28 years and we have never had anything like this.”

A spokesman for G4S said: “Fortunately the crew members have not suffered any injuries but have been badly shaken by the attack.

“All our staff have the right to safety at work and we are working closely with the police with their enquiries.

“I would urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward by calling 101.”

No one from James Hall & Co Ltd, which owns the garage, was available for comment.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.