A £15,000 reward is on offer for information about an armed bank robbery in Leigh.

The HSBC offer comes after last Wednesday's morning raid on its Bradshawgate branch and a new Police appeal for information.

Police believe the gunmen must have been seen in the area shortly before the raid on the HSBC bank in Bradshawgate.

They are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Two masked men, armed with handguns, entered the back of the bank shortly after 9.30am and forced staff into the vault. They stole a substantial amount of money then fled the scene in a light blue Ford Focus, registration MJ51 FUE, which was driven by a third man. The vehicle had been waiting for them in Vernon Street and was later found abandoned and burnt out in an alleyway off Platt Fold Street. The car had been stolen from Warrington three days earlier.

Shortly before the robbery, three men were seen in the car in the area of the bank.

Two men were dropped off and the driver parked the car on Bold Street between Lord Street and Church Street until 8.30am.

It is believed the driver then moved the car to Vernon Street.

Detective Inspector Chris Wood, of Leigh CID, said: "A considerable amount of planning went into this robbery, and it is likely the offenders would have been hanging around the bank in the weeks leading up to this incident.

"I am appealing to anyone who has seen anyone suspicious in the area recently, or saw the offenders before or after the robbery to get in touch. We would also like to speak to anyone with information about the getaway car."

Witnesses should contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7253 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.