THREE men fled empty handed after an attempted armed robbery at a post office in Wirral.

The men, who were armed with a sledge hammer and axe, threatened a customer outside the premises in Poulton Road, Seacombe.

Police said the customer ran inside and was followed by the men, but they soon left and were driven away in a black Alfa Romeo by a fourth member of the gang.

The robbery attempt happened just before 11.45am yesterday.

Detective Inspector Anne Rannard, of Merseyside Police, said: “We take reports of armed robberies extremely seriously and are determined to catch the people involved in this incident.

“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone with information to contact us.”

The three men who entered the post office were wearing white overalls with black balaclavas.

The car was found on fire in Shakespeare Road 10 minutes later. The gang are believed to have then escaped on foot down several alleys, leading back into Poulton Road, and may have left in a second vehicle.

CALL police on 0151 777 2263 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.