A SECURITY guard was attacked during a supermarket robbery by 10 masked thieves early today.

Police said the raiders turned up at the Valley Park Road Tesco store in Prestwich in three cars, one of which is known to have been stolen.

As they entered the main store area at 4am the gang, who were all wearing balaclavas, were approached by the guard, who was beaten about the head and body, sustaining minor bruising.

A duvet cover was filled with a large quantity of cigarettes before the thieves, again challenged by the guard, made off in a Subaru Impreza, stolen from the Rochdale area, a white Honda Civic and a BMW, possibly burgundy in colour. Police are appealing for witnesses to the arrival and departure of the three vehicles.

Det Sgt David McGuire of Bury Crime Management Unit said: "We are unsure of the direction of escape and need help in establishing the registration of two of the vehicles. We appreciate that at 4am there would be not too many people around."

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