TERRIFIED staff at a renowned Cheshire rural hotel were forced to lock themselves in a secure room after armed robbers tried to break into a cash machine.

Four masked men burst into the Broxton-based Carden Park hotel and golf resort armed with crowbars and a power saw in the early hours of yesterday morning (Wednesday).

Once inside the hotel, the men attempted to break into the cash machine in the reception area but fled the scene empty-handed.

Shaken staff who were on duty at the time were unharmed after locking themselves inside a secure room while the offenders were on the premises.

The four men had gained access to the hotel complex via the staff entrance by removing secure metal gates.

Police, who were called at 5.20am, are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman PC Shelley Williams said: “Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anyone behaving suspiciously in the area at the time, or anyone with any information that may assist police in this investigation.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Cheshire Constabulary on 0845 458 0000 quoting incident 99 of November 16.