POLICE today renewed their appeal for information about an armed robbery at a Rawtenstall supermarket as they revealed it could be linked to a second incident in Rochdale.

A gang of robbers terrified staff at the Kwik Save supermarket in New Hall Hey when they burst into the store wielding crow bars. They made off with a substantial amount of cash and cigarettes following the raid at 7.45pm on Wednesday.

Now, officers investigating the incident believe the gang may be behind a second robbery.

In the Rawtenstall robbery, three men, all wearing black ski masks or balaclavas and dark clothing, went into the wines and spirits section of Kwik Save. One climbed over the counter and stole cigarettes and verbally threatened and abused staff.

Another offender walked round and into the main part of the store and threatened the 24-year-old assistant manageress and demanded she open the safe. They stole a substantial amount of cash.

Staff were shocked and shaken by the incident but otherwise uninjured. There were some customers in the store at the time but they were not injured. One offender was of medium build and the other two were of stocky build.

Det Sgt Nikki Bithell said: "We are appealing for anyone who saw a vehicle in that area at the time to contact the police with any information." Police were interviewing staff yesterday about the incident.

The second incident happened at Kwik Save, in Edenfield Road, Rochdale, at 9.04pm on Wednesday when three men got out of a blue five-door BMW, leaving a driver behind the wheel. They threatened staff on the cigarette counter with spanners and what is believed to be a handgun.

They stole a substantial amount of cigarettes which they placed in the boot of the vehicle before leaving the scene at speed in the director of Norden. Three men were white and one was Asian. They all wore dark clothing.

Anyone with information or any customers who saw anything during the Rawtenstall attck can contact Rossendale CID on 01706 237442. Anyone who witnessed the incident in Rochdale is asked to contact 0161 856 8552.

Anyone with information about either crime can contact the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.