A MUM was forced out of her car and then watched in horror as it was driven off with her four-month-old daughter in the back.

The Citroen was taken shortly after a robbery at a post office in Middleton.

It was only driven a short distance and then abandoned and the child was found safe and well still strapped in.

Around half an hour earlier, police say four hooded men struck at a post office on Kirkway in Middleton.

One of the men was armed with a metal bar and they demanded money.

The gang fled with cash in a stolen silver Volvo, which was later abandoned on Walker Road in Blackley.

Police were then given an address in Blackley and four men fled from the house on foot as the force helicopter circled above.

Moments later the woman was dragged out of her car, which was found abandoned on nearby Hilltop Avenue.

Det Chief Insp Jeff McMahon, of Rochdale CID, said the woman was left `extremely shaken'.

"I am appealing to anyone who was in or around the post office in Middleton at the time, or who saw the offenders flee, to contact police," he said.

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of robbery. One has also been arrested on suspicion of kidnap.

Anyone with any information about the raid, at 1pm yesterday, is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.