MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for information after two men were sprung from a prison van by an armed gang.

The pair have been named this afternoon as Kirk Bradley and Tony Downes.

Both men, aged 25, were on their way to Liverpool Crown Court where they are on trial when the security van they were in was attacked by armed men on Trinity Way in Manchester shortly after 8.30am on Monday.

The men, from Liverpool, stood accused of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to commit criminal damage with intent to endanger life.

They were taken out of the security van by "a number of armed, masked men", police said.

The gang made off in a Saab, which was found abandoned in Barrow Street in Islington, Salford, a short time later.

One security guard was taken to hospital but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Downes, of no fixed address, and Bradley, of Altfinch Close, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside, were partway through the trial with a number of other co-accused.

Officers are appealing for the public's assistance in tracing the two - but would urge anyone who knows of their whereabouts not to approach them.

Merseyside Police are working with colleagues in Greater Manchester Police to trace them.

Anyone who has any information or who has seen Kirk Bradley or Anthony Downes, since 8.30am this morning, is asked to contact 0151 777 5699 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.