Chilling images show the moment armed robbers burst into a Preston bank brandishing a sledgehammer and a gun.
Detectives have released the images as they hunt the robbers and try to trace an elderly woman who could hold the key to catching them.
The two thugs dressed in black ski jackets and balaclavas entered the HSBC bank on Garstang Road in Fulwood at around 4.30pm at Thursday and threatened staff.
The men escaped through the back of the bank with cash and are believed to have fled through gardens onto Marina Drive.
A blue Ford transit panel van (registration MF03 NWN) was recovered from the bank car park and a red Citroen C4 (registration EF05 ODS) was later found abandoned on Tower Lane, Fulwood.
Both vehicles have been seized by police for forensic investigation.
Det Insp Dave McKenna from Preston CID said: "We are particularly keen to trace an elderly woman whom was seen speaking to a car that had stopped.
"This was a particularly nasty job where a substantial amount of money was stolen.
"We really need to speak to people who were in the area at the time and may have witnessed something. Even the smallest pieces of information can be very important to us."
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Preston Police on 01772 203203 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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