A BRAVE postmaster fought with armed robbers after they smashed their way through a security screen in a bid to snatch cash.

Philip Boyd tackled the masked men who were armed with a sledgehammer and what was thought to be a handgun.

Two men entered Crawshawbooth Post Office at 2pm yesterday and used the hammer to smash the security screen in front of sub-postmaster Mr Boyd which showered him with glass.

Mr Boyd grabbed at the sledgehammer and a scuffle broke out which ended with him being struck on the head by the second robber with what is believed to be a handgun.

The men then fled empty handed.

They were seen by witnesses to run to a waiting red Honda Civic car parked outside the post office in Burnley Road which was driven by a third man who also had his face covered.

The vehicle turned right into Major Street, along back streets and on to Bonfire Hill Road where it was later found abandoned.

Residents said the three men then left the area in an H-registered four-door white car similar to a Volvo 340 or 440 saloon. Police do not know which direction the car left the area.

A witness, Alison Parkes, who works at nearby Village Barbers, was at the bakers Home Made Fayre, next-door to the post office, where her friend Susan Greenwood works.

Susan said: "My friend was standing at the door just going and she shouted to me and we both looked out and saw a man running out and into a car with a sledgehammer.

"Her reaction was to shout the number out to me as I telephoned the police so we passed the details of the car on straight away.

"We were a bit disappointed when we found out they had changed vehicles because we had acted so quickly when we saw what was happening."

Susan's boss Stuart Parker has owned the bakers for ten years and said: "Most of the time it is a quiet village but this year we have had burglaries at two pubs the Masons and the Black Dog."

Detective Sergeant Mick Collins said: "Mr Boyd was the only person in the shop at the time and he reacted to what was going on in possibly the only way he could do. There was nowhere for him to go, he was in this small area protected by glass which had been shattered in front of him and he just reacted.

"We are not endorsing people to have a go but in this situation Mr Boyd did not know what was going to happen next. It all happened in seconds and he acted to prevent himself from being injured."

Mr Boyd, 40, has been at the post office for about two years. He was taken to Bury General Hospital with cuts to his face and hands from the flying safety glass but was allowed home after treatment.

Police taped off the post office yesterday while scenes of crime officers checked for forensic evidence and a police Land Rover remained outside the building.The post office remained closed today.

Villagers said about six years ago the previous sub-postmaster was robbed at gunpoint.

Although Tuesday is half-day closing in the village, some premises stay open and police are appealing for witnesses to the incident or anyone who saw the two vehicles to contact them on 01706 237442.

The red Honda Civic, registration number M908MNB, was found abandoned on Bonfire Hill Road. It had been stolen from the Manchester area.