A MANHUNT has been launched after balaclava-clad armed robbers struck in the same town centre street for the second time in two days.

Police said two men entered the Woolworths store in Bank Street, Rawtenstall, last night and attacked a male member of staff with an iron bar.

He was taken to Fairfield Hospital, Bury, for treatment, but was not detained.

The raid follows an attack, also by masked robbers, on a Securicor van outside the Abbey National bank in Bank Street at 10.30pm on Wednesday.

At 6.40pm last night a Subaru estate car was seen pulling up outside the Woolworths store.

Two men wearing balaclavas then went inside the shop, which was open for late night Christmas shopping.

Detective said there were no customers in the store, but four members of staff were on duty.

The men were then said to have threatened store workers and forced them to the rear of the store and then into an upstairs office.

The store manager, who was inside the office, was then asked to open a safe. Police said he refused and was then hit with an iron bar or wrench.

After refusing to open the safe for a second time he was then said to have been attacked by both men who eventually fled empty handed.

They were seen getting into the Subaru car which was driven by a third man.

On Wednesday evening four masked robbers armed with an electronic stun gun, hammers and a wheel brace stole a substantial amount of cash from a security van parked in Bank Street.

An S-registered green Volvo was seen at the scene and was later found abandoned at the Rostron Arms, Edenfield.

It is not known if the two incidents are linked.

Anyone with information about the either robbery should contact Pennine Police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.