A GANG of three armed with knives and a stun gun raided a McDonald's restaurant close to the East Lancs Road last night.

It was the latest in a series of raids on premises close to the A580, said police.

The gang threatened staff before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash from McDonald's restaurant on Stone Cross Park, Golborne.

The three men were seen getting into a red Ford Sierra which had previously been stolen in Hulme, Manchester.

As the men drove away they were involved in a minor collision with another vehicle. The three men were then seen leaving the Sierra on Fulwood Avenue in Lowton and running into a second car which made off in the direction of the A580.

The men are described as white, two were wearing Halloween style masks which were grey with raised veins, the third had a black scarf covering the lower half of his face.

Two of the men were armed with knives and the third man was armed with what is being described as a 'stun gun'.

Det-Sgt. Gordon Grainger said: "There has also been a number of similar recent incidents involving businesses along the A580.

"We request that any staff in such premises are extra vigilant at this time of year and that they ensure that any CCTV equipment is working correctly."

Police are keen to speak with any witnesses to this incident, especially anyone who saw the men in Fulwood Avenue, and they are asked to call 0161 856 7352.