TWO thugs armed with a sledgehammer knocked out a cash delivery driver and stole tens of thousands of pounds in a terrifying robbery outside a supermarket today.

The Loomis van driver was smashed in the face, possibly with a crowbar, leaving him instantly unconscious, said his bosses. Another driver was hit in the arm with a sledgehammer.

The raiders struck at the Sainsbury's store in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, just before 10.30am when three drivers from the cash-in-transit firm were making a delivery.

The robbers escaped with the cash and fled in a stolen white Audi A3. Ten minutes later, the car was found on fire in Back Darwen Road at the junction with Guild Street close to the scene of the raid. 

The number plates had been stripped off and the raiders had fled. Firefighters put out the blaze using a tactic designed to preserve as much evidence as possible.

A spokesman for Loomis said: "This is a violent and terrible crime. These two employees were going about their everyday job and were attacked for no reason other than greed, and criminal intent.

"Loomis is working very closely with police and we would urge anyone with information or evidence to contact the police."

One Darwen Road resident said: "How frightening. It's terrible for the staff in Sainsbury's — they are so young, one of the girls is just 20 or so."

Bromley Cross ward councillor and Conservative leader David Greenhalgh said: "It is absolutely shocking to have such a violent and brutal attack take place right here in broad daylight on our doorstep.

"I know the community would want me to pass on our best wishes to the injured men and their families; and also to the staff and any customers who were in the store at the time to witness the attack. It must have been terrifying.

"Anyone with any information on these violent thugs, however small, should contact the police."

A spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service said: "We were called to the scene at 10.30am and have taken two patients to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

"One person has suffered arm injuries while another has suffered head injuries."

A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said: "We are working with the police and our thoughts are with the drivers involved."

The store reopened in the mid-afternoon.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called shortly before 10.30am to reports of an armed robbery at a supermarket in Darwen Road.

"It appears that two men have threatened three cash delivery drivers and stolen a significant amount of cash."

The two robbers have not been arrested and anyone with information which could assist the police is urged to contact the force on 101.