A MARRIED couple, who are both police officers, foiled an armed robbery at a bank when one of them tackled a man wielding a sledgehammer.

Andy and Jill Maltman, from Lancashire Police, were off-duty when they spotted two men in black balaclavas going into the Royal Bank of Scotland in Adlington at 5pm on Wednesday night. The other was carrying a crowbar.

The PC followed the pair into the bank and challenged the man with the sledgehammer while his wife went to a nearby post office and raised the alarm.

The robber threatened PC Maltman before he and the other man fled empty handed. The drama happened as staff at the bank, in Market Street, were preparing to close for the day.

A black VW Golf pulled up outside the bank and the two men were seen getting out.

The two raiders managed to run into the building but did not have time to demand cash before the police officer caught up and challenged them.

Staff and customers in the bank at the time all escaped shaken but unhurt.

The getaway vehicle, which was driven by a third man, was found a short while later in Blackrod after it had been abandoned and burned out. Eye witnesses told how WPC Maltman ran into the post office and warned customers to stay inside the premises away from the raiders.

A police car was outside the bank this morning as officers continued to interview staff.

The same Adlington branch was hit by a gang of armed robbers last November.

Three men using handguns burst into the shop and demanded staff filled up bags full of money before they fled.

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