A FEMALE receptionist at an escort agency bravely fought off an attack by a masked armed robber.

The 35-year-old woman was working at the Secrets Escort Agency in Bury New Road, Prestwich, when the thief barged in at around 10.15pm on Thursday evening (Aug 1).

Armed with a long-barrelled gun and wearing a black plastic bag to hide his face the man demanded cash from the woman. She refused and was hit over the head with the butt of the gun before the thug fled empty-handed.

The raider is described as 6ft and wearing a blue tracksuit.

And an off-licence worker had a shotgun pointed at her head during another raid on a Prestwich off-licence.

Less than three weeks after it was last robbed, the Bargain Booze store in Bury New Road was again targeted by raiders.

In the latest incident, a masked man entered the store at 9.30pm on Saturday (Aug 3) and produced the weapon which was concealed in a plastic bag with only the barrel showing.

The gun was placed against the shop assistant's head and the thief then grabbed a quantity of cash before fleeing.

No-one was injured but the shopworker was badly shaken.

The masked raider is described as white, 5ft 8ins, and wore a black jacket and trainers.