AN armed robber fled empty-handed after an alert post master bolted a door so he could not break in.

The masked gunman struck just after 3pm yesterday trying to force his way into the Daisy Hill post office in Leigh Road, Westhoughton.

But his efforts were thwarted after staff bolted the door, having spotted a car being driven past the building a number of times before the attempted raid.

The man smashed a window and kicked the door as he tried to force his way in but ran away.

He was white in his 20s and was wearing a dark jacket, dark trousers and a black mask.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Westhoughton CID on 0161 872 5050.