A SECURITY guard hit over the head with a weapon during a robbery at a town-centre bank escaped serious injury thanks to his helmet.

His bosses at Securicor today revealed the lucky escape as they offered a £5,000 reward for information about the raid on HSBC, Blackburn, at 11.30am yesterday.

Witnesses reported that the guard was attacked with an axe, but police could not confirm what weapon was used.

He was left shaken but unharmed, thanks to his helmet, which absorbed the blow.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the Church Street raid, after the thieves escaped with an unconfirmed amount of cash and sped off through the town.

A spokesman for Securicor said: "We can confirm that there was an attack on one of our couriers in Church Street, Blackburn at approximately 11.28am on February 24.

"None of our staff was injured.

"Securicor deplores such incidents and is doing everything possible to assist the police with their inquiries. The safety of our staff and the public is of paramount importance and, as such, we are offering a £5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attack."

Eyewitnesses to the raid said that three masked men were involved, two carrying out the robbery and one driving the escape vehicle. The Securicor guard was attacked as he made a delivery of cash to the bank. Police say that two cars may have been involved, a green Vauxhall Astra and a yellow van.

No firearms were involved in the raid.

Detective Inspector Simon Giles, of Blackburn police, said: "The security guard was making a delivery to the premises when he was attacked from behind and forced to the floor. The offenders then made off from the scene with the transit box containing cash.

"Inquiries are at an early stage but we would ask anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us immediately. In particular, we would like to hear from anyone who saw two vehicles we believe may have some connection with the robbery."

The councillor in charge of regeneration in Blackburn said that the recent pedestrianisation of Church Street were not a factor in the robbery.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration said: " Security issues were taken into account during the design of Church Street.

"Detailed consultation took place with HSBC and other businesses about their access and security requirements before the improvement plans were approved."

The first vehicle is described as a green V registered Vauxhall Astra saloon, which was seen travelling up Salford towards Tommy Ball's.

A yellow van was also seen parked directly outside the HSBC at the time of the incident.

Anybody with information can call the police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.