TERRIFIED shop assistants found themselves staring down the barrels of a sawn-off shotgun when a robber burst into busy off-licence.

Police are now appealing for information after the armed robbery at Tamar Stores in Nel Pan Lane, Leigh.

A man armed with a sawn-off shotgun entered the general store and off licence at around 8pm on Thursday. He threatened two female staff before leaving on foot with a quantity of cash and was last seen heading down Nel Pan Lane towards Westleigh Lane.

Store owner Lisa Prescott said: "It had been a fairly steady day and as soon as it quietened down a man came in and said 'you know what I want'. One of the girls working at the time opened the till and he took the money and left, saying 'don't call the police'."

The man is described as white and was wearing a white handkerchief across his face, a grey fleece and possibly beige trousers.

Both women were left shaken-up and frightened, but no one was hurt.

Anyone who witnessed this incident or saw anyone matching this description in the vicinity should contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7252 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.