MASKED RAIDERS armed with sledgehammers carried out a terrifying robbery at a bookmakers.

Two men, both wearing balaclavas, entered the betting shop, in Firs Lane, Leigh, at about 8pm on Tuesday, November 14.

They went to the cashiers’ area of the shop where they used a sledgehammer to break through the door, while staff members locked themselves in a back room.

The robbers helped themselves to cash from the tills before fleeing the shop in an unknown direction.

The first offender is described as 5’10” to 6ft, wearing all black clothing apart from red gloves.

The second is also described as 5’ 10” to 6ft, and of a slim build. He was carrying a yellow JD bag.

Detective Constable Lee Jamieson of GMP’s Leigh borough is urging anyone who may have noticed anything unusual in the area at the time to come forward.

Contact police on 0161 856 7292 or 101, quoting incident number 2076 of 14/11/17. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.