Security guard robbed

As much as £20,000 has been stolen from a security guard during a robbery at a petrol station in Lancashire.

The guard, who was part of a three-man Securicor team, was attempting to deliver the cash to the garage in Preston when the two robbers struck, at about 1715 BST on Wednesday.

One of the robbers wrestled the cash from the grasp of the guard at the Esso filling station in Blackpool Road, before he and his accomplice tried to make their getaway in a car.

However, the maroon Ford Orion car was in collision with another vehicle as they pulled on to Blackpool Road and they were forced to abandon it and flee on foot.

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A Lancashire Police spokesman said the robbers ran to a nearby housing estate.

"The guard had between £15,000 and £20,000 with him and it was taken by one of the robbers who wrestled it from him," said a spokesman.

He said the guard was not injured in the incident, which took place at the station close to Deepdale Retail Park.

Officers carried out a full search of the housing estate but were unable to locate the pair, who are both aged between 18 and 20.

The first robber was described as of mixed race, 5ft 9ins tall and wearing dark clothing.

The second was white, also 5ft 9ins tall, and of slim build. He was wearing casual clothing and a bobble hat.

Witnesses or anyone who has information about the robbery should contact Preston police or ring Crimestoppers.