MASKED thieves held staff at gunpoint during a bank robbery at a shopping centre.

Shortly before 1.20am on Thursday, police were called to a bank in Ellesmere Shopping Centre, Walkden, to reports of an armed robbery.

Two members of staff were threatened by three masked men who were armed with a handgun and a machete.

The attackers gained entry by following an employee as he entered the bank and pushed their way in.

One of the victims was forced to lie on the floor with a gun pressed to his back.

The trio fled with a significant amount of cash in a getaway car, a red Mini Cooper which was later recovered in the area.

One offender has been described as approximately 5ft8in tall and of stocky build, wearing black jogging bottoms and a blue hooded coat.

Another robber was wearing black jogging bottoms and a light-coloured hooded top, while the third offender wore black jogging bottoms with a grey hooded top with the hood up.

All three men were wearing balaclavas.

Sergeant Natasha Evans, of GMP’s Salford borough, said: “This was a horrifying attack, which has left the employees extremely shaken.

“Thankfully no-one was injured, but that doesn’t excuse the terrifying ordeal that the victims had to endure at the hands of these violent men.

“I would urge anyone that was in the area at the time of the robbery that thinks they might have seen anything that could help our investigation to please get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 123 of September 7, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.