POLICE are appealing for information after two armed robberies in Leigh.

Masked raiders armed with a spanner threatened staff at the cigarette counter of Asda in Kirkhall Lane before stealing cigarettes and escaping in a Rover driven by a third man.

The car, which had a registration plate starting with a K or J, sped off in the direction of Westleigh.

Police believe the incident at the supermarket, which happened at 2.50am yesterday, could be linked to an earlier robbery at 2.30am when two men armed with a baseball bat broke through the security screen of the Shell petrol station and stole cigarettes, cash and telephone cards.

Anyone with information is urged to call Leigh CID on 0161-856-7254 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.