A REWARD is being offered after a violent armed robbery outside a post office.

A security guard was attacked with a machete and a metal bar by masked raiders who escaped with around £5,000.

The robbery happened at 11.35am on Wednesday (Feb 13) when a security van pulled up outside the Black Lane Post Office in Ainsworth.

Two men wearing balaclavas approached the 49-year-old security guard and attacked him. He suffered cuts and severe bruising to the head, arms and body. He was taken to Fairfield General Hospital for treatment and released a short time later. A second security guard inside the van suffered shock.

The raiders then climbed into a waiting blue Honda Civic, registration L31 VCC, driven by a third masked man. The Honda had been stolen the previous evening from the Swinton area.

The robbers then drove down Ainsworth Road to Alma Street where they changed vehicles to a red Saab, which had the false registration R288 ARJ. This car was recovered a short time later in Hambridge Close in Cheetham Hill.

The Post Office is offering a substantial reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offenders.

Police at Whitefield are appealing for witnesses to contact the CID on 856 8240 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.