MACHETE-wielding robbers ambushed a van delivering £18,000 to a petrol station yesterday.

They threatened to slash the guards with the machetes unless they handed over money.

Then one of the three masked men punched one of the guards in the mouth. The gang sped away with a box containing the £18,000 before dumping their getaway car nearby.

The ambush took place on the forecourt of Kearsley Service Station in Manchester Road, Kearsley, yesterday lunchtime when the two guards working for the Loomis security firm were delivering money to fill a cash machine.

Three men wearing balaclavas and carrying machetes got out of a Skoda saloon as the guards carried a box of money to the cash machine.

After grabbing ther box from the men,the robbers got back into the Skoda and sped off towards Bolton.

The car was later found abandoned in nearby Slackey Brow where the gang are believed to have got into a white van, which was then seen driving though Stoneclough towards Radcliffe.

A box containing the stolen cash was later found by a member of public in Outwood Road in Radcliffe.

It is thought the money could have been covered in dye - triggered by the snatching of the box.

Detectives are particularly keen to speak to anybody who saw the gang switching vehicles.

The guard who was punched suffered bruising to his mouth and face but did not need hospital treatment.

One man whose home overlooks the scene of yesterday's robbery said: "I was at the side of my house and heard a bit of a commotion and some shouting.

"A car sped off with its tyres screeching.

"I saw one of the men from the security firm holding his head as if he'd been hit."

All the attackers were wearing dark clothing and one is believed to have been dressed in a blue hooded top.

Detectives are appealing for information. Det Sgt Martin Bell of Bolton CID said: "This was a terrifying robbery by men who have shown that they are not afraid to use violence and we want to apprehend them as soon as possible.

"TI'm certain somebody will have seen something which can help us catch these men. They may have been in the area in the days prior to this incident and I would ask anybody who has seen anything suspicious to get in touch with us."

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5740 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.