A SECURITY guard was hit with a sledgehammer by masked robbers who carjacked passers-by in a dramatic escape bid.

Three masked men tried to rob the cash delivery guard near Morrison's in Stanley Road, Whitefield, at about 7.50am yesterday.

They attacked the guard and hit him with a sledgehammer over the head and back, before stealing a large amount of cash.

Police officers attended the scene and acted quickly to trace the robbers.

During the course of their attempted escape the masked raiders stopped four people driving their cars while they were being chased by the police.

Three of them were dragged out of the cars and the robbers drove away with the cash.

A police car was rammed before the vehicle was abandoned.

Pursuing officers managed to detain two men and recover the cash.

Detective Inspector Rob Cousen said: "This was clearly a serious incident where innocent members of the public and people just doing an honest day's work were left terrified.

"We are extremely grateful to the many members of the public who provided information and the response of the police officers who attended, which was exemplary.

"I would still appeal to any member of the public that witnessed these incidents that haven't provided their details to contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 2095 and 0161 856 0084 or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Two 23-year-old men and a 24-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and are in police custody.