A WOULD-BE robber tried to carry out a raid on a bank — using a threatening note.

The crook walked into Lloyds in Halliwell Road, Halliwell, at 2.50pm, approached a cashier and held up a note that read: “Do not raise alarm I have gun and hammer in bag put £3,000 in envelope no dye pack.”

He then fled empty handed.

Det Sgt Scott Brady, said: “This was an audacious attempt to rob a bank and not knowing how genuine the threat was the cashier has obviously been left shaken.

“We will be pursuing various lines of enquiry to identify this person and it is in his best interests if he comes and speaks to us sooner rather than later.

“If anyone has information about who he is or witnessed what occurred please call us.”

The would-be robber is described as mixed race, in his early 20s with slim, short hair. He was wearing a pale grey hoody with hood and was carrying a black rucksack.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5795, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.