A GANG led by a man dressed in traditional Islamic clothing stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery in a raid.

The robbers struck at the Jadee Jewellers store in Rochdale Road, Bury, at about 4.30pm on Monday.

The man approached the shop dressed in a burkha and hijab and, believing he was a legitimate customer, the owner opened the shop door.

At this point, four other members of the gang burst through the open door brandishing a silver metal hammer and a baseball bat, while the man in the Islamic clothing wielded a machete.

The men smashed glass display cabinets and stole thousands of pounds worth of 22ct gold jewellery, including necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

The shop owner tried to scare them off by swinging a hockey stick and eventually the gang fled in a dark coloured car, believed to be an Audi.

Police are now appealing to anyone who has information about the robbery to come forward.

The man carrying the baseball bat was black, about 6ft 2ins tall, in his early 30s and skinny.

The man with the hammer was white, about 5ft 6ins tall, in his early to mid-30s and had shaved hair.

The thief in the burkha and hijab was said to be Asian, about 5ft 9ins tall, in his early 30s and of a medium build.

Anyone with information should call Bury CID on 0161 856 8210 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.