DETECTIVES are hunting a gunman who threatened to shoot a terrified cashier during a Farnworth petrol station raid.

The thug pointed a long barrelled handgun at the woman's back and told her he was prepared to pull the trigger. He forced the woman back to the counter at the Total Service Station and ordered her to open the till.

The gunman then fled on foot with up to £150 in cash.

The scruffy thug is believed to have been hanging around the service station in Longcauseway, Farnworth, for some time before he entered the premises at 5.30pm on Saturday.

He walked up behind the cashier before pulling a gun out of his waist band.

Detectives say he is white, 5ft 7/8ins tall, skinny build in his late 20s with a thin, gaunt face, dark moustache and dark eyebrows. He was wearing a dark hat with a peak, which had a motif in the centre, and a dark blue thigh-length coat. He spoke with a local accent.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Farnworth CID or Crimestoppers on the free phone number 0800 555 111.

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