Robbers' getaway car blocked in

Armed robbers who ram-raided a bank in Cheshire found their getaway car had been blocked in.

Four men armed with handguns and a machete reversed a Volvo 440 into the Barclays Bank in Lodge Drive in Culcheth, Warrington.

They had parked a Ford Fiesta to get away in, but came out empty-handed to find it was hemmed in by parked cars.

Cheshire police said the gang then threatened staff at a butcher's shop and escaped in their van.

Staff shaken

The Mercedes was later found abandoned in Twiss Green Lane, Culcheth, and the four drove off in a small dark-coloured car.

It is thought the vehicle was parked there waiting for them.

Detectives are appealing for information from anyone who saw the car parked in Twiss Green Lane or any witnesses to the two raids.

Nobody was hurt in either incident but staff were left shaken, police said.