ARMED raiders stormed a Post Office on Saturday morning.

Two masked men brandishing sledgehammers struck at Tonge Fold Post Office, in the busy Bury Road shopping area on Saturday morning.

It is understood the robbers arrived on a motorbike and escaped with what is understood to be a large amount of cash.

The robbery has left local traders horrified — and comes only weeks after another Post Office was targeted in another busy shopping area.

The Post Office in Moss Bank Way, Johnson Fold, was robbed at the end of May when a delivery worker had a machete held to his throat while a robber demanded a bag of cash from his colleague.

The two incidents are not thought to be linked.

It is understood that no one was injured in Saturday’s robbery.

Milan Patel, who works at the off-licence next door, said: “This is a very busy area with shops and traffic.

“It is frightening that something like this can happen.”

He added: “I wasn’t working, but I heard it was over within 50 seconds. Two men were on a motorbike and were carrying a sledgehammer, then they went in and left with cash.

“The police were here quickly but the two men were in and out so fast.”

Mr Patel said: “Thankfully, nobody was injured in the robbery.”

Police confirmed that a robbery involving sledgehammers had taken place and an investigation was under way.

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.