Raiders armed with machine guns fled empty-handed after two bungled robbery attempts yesterday.

Three men, one armed with a gun and the others with steel bars, burst into the Abbey National in Duckworth Lane, Bradford, and demanded cash.

Terrified customers looked on as staff activated the emergency shutters and the three men ran off.

It is the second time in six weeks the bank has been attacked and police believe the same gang could be responsible.

The bank's manager, Andy Laing, said: "The men came storming in after they had been spotted hanging around outside.

"Staff and customers were left shaken after the incident, but unhurt."

Police are not ruling out that the attempted robbery, which took place at 10.15am, may also be linked to one at the City Road Post Office in City Road, Bradford, more than five hours later at 3.50pm. Four men attempted to rob the post office, one armed with a machine gun, but again fled empty-handed when the security system was alerted.

Sgt Roy Wensley, of Toller Lane police, said: "We are very concerned about these two incidents yesterday. We believe the machine guns were real. We have carried out house-to-house inquiries in the Toller Lane area and are also appealing for anyone who witnessed the attempted robberies or has any information to come forward. We would also like any more CCTV footage that is available." Ring Bradford 376282.

Sgt Wensley said members of the gang spoke with a local accent. It is not known how they escaped.

The man carrying the machine gun in the Abbey National incident is described as of Asian appearance, 5ft 8ins tall, with short, black hair, clean shaven, wearing a dark blue jacket and carrying a dark coloured bag.

The man carrying the gun in the second attack is described as of Asian appearance, about 6ft, in his late teens or early 20s. The other men were all wearing balaclavas.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.