ARMED men attempting to rob a Merseyside supermarket yesterday escaped the scene by driving along a footpath.

The three offenders, one armed with a crowbar and the other with a sledgehammer, forced their way into the Asda store on Ormskirk Road, Aintree, at 8.40am. The men got out of a dark coloured Chrysler at the rear of the store and approached a member of staff, attempting to enter an office inside the building.

But they were unsuccessful and left the store empty- handed, via a rear door. Their get away involved driving out of the car park via a pedestrian exit, across a dual carriageway and in the direction of Liverpool on a footpath.

The vehicle used by the offenders was found burnt out a short time later on Dooley Drive, Aintree.

The offenders are described as white, approximately 6ft tall, wearing dark clothing, gloves with their faces covered.

A police spokesman said: “Both the store and the area surrounding was relatively busy at the time of the incident and Merseyside Police would like to urge anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has more information to officers on 0151 777 5812 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”