Detectives hunting gunmen who carried out a vicious attack on a Birmingham post office manager have appealed to the criminal underworld to hand them over.

James Gilmore fears he may lose his sight after the attack in which he was left in a pool of blood by the gang even though he co-operated with their demands.

Mr Gilmore suffered a fractured eye-socket after being pistol-whipped and punched in the face at his store in Stechford.

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One of the raiders repeatedly smashed the butt of his pistol into the 42-year-old manager's head during the raid. Police yesterday branded the gunmen "savages" and said the robbery would cause revulsion in even underworld circles because of its "massively excessive force".

Detective Inspector Simon Vowles said: "They used massively excessive force and continued even when they had got what they wanted and got into the store.

"A substantial amount of money was taken and I suspect the criminal fraternity will be talking about this. I would urge them to come forward as this level of violence was completely unnecessary."

Mr Gilmore was shutting the Meadway Post Office, attached to the Co-op at the Poolway shopping precinct, at 5.30pm on Saturday when the four balaclava-clad men burst past him.

After the beating, as he lay in agony on the ground, the gang moved on to threaten two female members of staff at gunpoint before emptying the safe of a "substantial" amount of money.

Mr Gilmore said: "All of the violence was unnecessary - there was absolutely no need for it. There were four of them and they had guns, I didn't have a weapon or any protection but they still set about me. It was a frenzied attack. Once they had got into the post office, they still hit me."

Still unsure about whether to return to work at the shop, Mr Gilmore added: "My life has been totally disrupted, it will never be the same again after this. They need to be caught before they do this to anyone else."

Mr Gilmore, who is single, said he feared he could have lost the sight in his right eye and is still suffering from blurred vision. The top of his head is covered with cuts where he was hit with the butt of the pistol.

Detectives said four men, dressed in casual dark clothing and wearing either balaclavas or face coverings, were involved.

Three were carrying pistols. They fled down an alley at the side of the shop before jumping in a silver saloon car, possibly an Audi, driven by a fifth accomplice.

The car, thought to be two to four-years-old, screeched from the scene leaving a large skid-mark.

It sped along Sheldon Heath Road and into Este Road.

Appealing for public help in catching the offenders, Det Insp Vowles added: "This wasn't a subtle getaway and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen the vehicle to come forward."

Detectives at Stechford can be contacted on 0845 113 5000 or people can call the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.