POLICE are still appealing for witnesses after an armed robbery at a Bolton bingo hall.

Four masked men armed with a shotgun burst into Mecca Bingo in Breightmet Fold Lane, Breightmet, and stole £5,000 in a raid while the hall was packed with bingo players.

A stolen blue Volvo estate car was used in the robbery and was later found abandoned in Fosters Lane, Breightmet.

The raid happened on Sunday, July 13 at 7.10pm. No arrests have been made.

Scott Gallagher, aged 21, from Breightmet, was in the bingo hall with his mother and sister when the robbery happened.

Mr Gallagher, a teaching assistant, said: “I heard shouting and I thought somebody had collapsed. Somebody mentioned guns and I ran outside, I didn’t see the robbers.

“There was quite a few people who were shook up and crying, it was quite scary.

“I would hope it was a one off but I think it is an easy target because it’s away from town.

“The manager came out to explain what was going on and made sure customers were all right and offered customers refunds if they wanted to go home.”

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 8565795 or 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.