A TERRIFIED shop assistant was kidnapped by an armed robber as she locked up her off-licence in Prestwich.

The 30-year-old was starting her car after closing the Bargain Booze store on Bury New Road when a man in a balaclava pulled open the front passenger door.

He said he had a gun and ordered her to move out of the driver's seat.

Then he drove round to the front of the shop from the woman's parking spot in Sherbourne Street and forced her to re-open the shutters.

He told her to carry a quantity of cigarettes out to the car. Then he ordered her to get in and drove off through Prestwich.

He stopped the vehicle at the junction of Heys Road and Heywood Road and told her to get out.

She was not hurt but was very shaken by her ordeal.

Detectives from Whitefield CID are appealing for information from anyone who saw the man near the shop before the incident, which happened at about 11.20pm on Friday.

Det Con Chris Jameson said: "This is being treated as a very serious incident. The shop-keeper was put through a very frightening ordeal.

"We believe this man may have been watching the waiting for some time before making his move. Anyone who thinks they may have seen him should call us immediately."

The kidnapper has been described as being about six-feet tall and aged between 25 and 35-years-old.

He was of slim build and had a stubbly beard. He was wearing a cream, beige and blue jumper with horizontal stripes.

Anyone with information should call Whitefield CID on 0161 856 8212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.