POLICE are probing a link between two robberies which took place within 20 minutes in Leigh early today.

Two men wearing balaclavas and armed with baseball bats broke through a security screen and stole cigarettes, phone cards and a small amount of cash at the Shell Service station before running off at about 2.30pm.

Then, 20 minutes later at the Asda store, in Kirkhall Lane, two men, both wearing dark clothing and masks approached the cigarette kiosk and one threatened staff with a spanner.

They then grabbed a small amount of cigarettes before they ran off to a waiting K or J registered Rover being driven by a third male which then headed in the Westleigh direction.

Officers are investigating whether the incident is linked to an earlier robbery which happened shortly after 0230 hours.

Anyone with information about either robbery is asked to contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7254 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.