AN off-duty policeman thwarted an armed robbery at bank by telling a hammer-wielding gang: "You're surrounded."

Quick-thinking Andy Maltman, aged 38, said how he spotted the masked men entering the Royal Bank of Scotland in Market Street, Adlington.

He followed the men into the bank and saw them trying to smash open a door into the vault with a sledgehammer and crowbar.

The unarmed constable confronted the raiders - and told them to surrender because they were surrounded.

The men then fled empty-handed from the bank and escaped in a getaway car.

Today, as Lancashire Police chiefs praised his actions, PC Maltman, who lives in Adlington, vowed: "I'd do the same again if necessary."

The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon as PC Maltman was sitting in his car with his wife Jill, who is also an officer with Lancashire Police.

The car was parked outside the bank and the couple spotted two men pulling on gloves and balaclavas. One of them was carrying a sledgehammer.

While his wife dialled 999, PC Maltman sprang into action.

After warning customers in a neighbouring post office to stay inside, he followed the raiders into the bank. One man was trying to smash a door to the vault with the sledgehammer, while the other was trying to prise it open with a crowbar.

PC Maltman said: "I told them they were surrounded - and the guy with the hammer told me where to go. I warned them again and I think they then thought there could be other police out there.

"As they were coming out, the guy with the hammer took a swing at me, but missed."

The men jumped into a black VW Golf, driven by a third man. PC Maltman pursued them in his car as his wife maintained contact with officers over the phone.

The robbers' car sped off and it was later found abandoned and burned out in Blackrod.

PC Maltman then helped to preserve the scene for forensic officers. His wife, who is six months pregnant, gathered witnesses ready for the arrival of uniformed officers.

PC Maltman said: "There's no point trying to take on people who are armed and may be willing to hit out. The most important thing was the safety of the public and the staff in the branch.

"I kept asking myself if there was anything more I could have done, but I'm fairly pleased. I'd do the same again."

Staff in the bank were shaken, but not hurt.

Chief Supt Warren Turner said: "The actions of Andy and Jill Maltman can only be commended.

"Of course we would not recommend that members of the public get involved like this when crimes are in progress, but Andy is a highly trained officer."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01772 614444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.