POST office raiders grabbed around £7,000 in cash and left a man needing hospital treatment.

The 50-year-old postmaster suffered a deep cut to his left ankle after being struck by one of the masked thugs during a raid on Dumers Lane Post Office in Radcliffe on Monday.

The office is closed until further notice.

It is the second time in less than a month that the branch has been targeted. On June 21, a thief fled empty-handed after throwing a paving slab at the security screen.

According to police, the latest raid involved four men who arrived at the post office in a red Vauxhall Cavalier at 11am. Two of them, armed with a machete and a wheel brace, entered the shop and tried to smash the counter security screen.

They then forced their way into the private quarters and attacked the postmaster. He was later taken to Bury General Hospital for treatment.

The thieves grabbed a substantial amount of cash before escaping in a silver Rover 216. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Britain Street, Bury.

Only one of the four men was described. He was white and in his late teens with fair hair. The raider was wearing a maroon fleece top.

Anyone with information should contact detectives on 856 8248.