STAFF at a Whitefield store were threatened by an armed raider as they opened up the shop early on Sunday morning (Aug 4).

A man wearing a balaclava and armed with a 12-inch object ordered the Late Shop employees into a rear store room. He then made off with a quantity of cash and cigarettes from the Fountain Place shop.

No-one was injured in the robbery.

Police are now hunting the offender who is described as white, 5ft 8 ins and slim. He was wearing a dark coloured three-quarter length jacket with white stripes down the arms and a stripe across the chest.

Detectives from Whitefield CID are asking anyone who witnessed Sunday morning's robbery to contact them on 0161 856 8248.