Manchester police are hunting a machete-wielding robber with piercing blue eyes after a Jewish jeweller had his arms slashed during a raid on his car outside Prestwich’s main post office last Friday.

David Singer, 54, who lives in Whitefield, needed an operation to reattach an arm muscle which was sliced during his ordeal. Three men in black balaclavas surrounded his blue BMW at around 8.15am, smashing windows with bats and launching themselves through the openings.

He said: “They had lots of room inside the car to flail this 2ft blade at me. When they started going for my head I let them take the car keys. It was the most frightening experience. When the police interviewed me afterwards, I started crying.”

Leaving Mr Singer dripping with blood, the men escaped in a silver Vauxhall Vectra and headed for the M60 motorway, with a bag containing thousands of pounds of gold and cash.

A postal worker performed first aid until an ambulance took the victim to North Manchester General Hospital. Mr Singer, who is married with three children, said his family was in shock. “My 16-year-old daughter is traumatised, she has GCSE exams next week — it affects everyone. I will be changing the way I operate. I can’t put myself in danger anymore.”

Detective Inspector John Mazzolai, of Bury CID, said: “He was simply going about his daily business when this vicious and determined group attacked him.

“He has lost some valuable stock, he has been terribly shaken and has been hurt, although thankfully not seriously injured, despite the extreme level of violence. I would urge anyone who knows anything about the attack to contact me.”