NEARLY £8,000 was grabbed in an armed raid at a Whitefield store which was the second robbery there in a week.

Wednesday morning's (Jan 16) raid happened after a security guard arrived at Ribble Drive Late Shop in Albert Place.

A gang of five men are now being hunted by police.

The incident happened at 7.10am when two masked men brandishing iron bars entered the store and forced staff to let them into the rear of the shop.

Three more men stormed the store from the rear and a struggle took place between the gang and a security guard.

According to police, the guard managed to escape unharmed from the shop and drive away in his van.

The raiders grabbed a cash bag and jumped into a car which was later found abandoned nearby.

The shop had been targeted by raiders the previous Wednesday. Two men entered the store at 9.15pm and pinned a shop assistant against a wall. They made off with the contents of the till and a quantity of cigarettes and telephone cards.

Whitefield CID are investigating both robberies and anyone who has any information about the raids should contact detectives on 0161 856 8248 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.