A SHOPWORKER escaped injury after being struck with a machete in an armed raid in Prestwich.

Staff at the Lidl superstore in Bury New Road, Sedgley Park, were initially threatened by three masked raiders on Thursday night (Sept 5) and then forced into a rear office.

The store manager was forced to open the safe and the raiders grabbed a substantial amount of cash.

Before they fled the store, one of the employees was hit with the flat side of the machete blade but was not seriously harmed.

No-one else was injured but they were left shaken and distressed as a result of the 7.50pm raid.

The three men made off in a silver Toyota Camry which had been stolen from the Middleton area. The car was later found abandoned in the Pendleton area.

Detectives have launched an appeal for witnesses and anyone who saw the raiders enter or leave the store should contact Whitefield CID on 0161 856 8248 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.