TWO masked raiders armed with knives robbed a convenience store before escaping on a motorbike.

Staff at the Co-op in Ainsworth Lane, Tonge Moor, were terrified when one man, wearing a balaclava and hood, jumped over the counter and demanded cash from the till.

The other, wearing a helmet, stood guard and they escaped on the bike.

The raid happened at 8pm on Sunday and police are appealing for witnesses to contact them.

Veronica Shaw, who was working in the store at the time, said: “The one with a helmet kept shouting, while the one in the balaclava and hood jumped over the counter and threatened me with his knife, shouting and waving it at me until I opened the till. It was really scary. I thought they would cut me.

“I found one customer was locked in the shop with me.

She was badly shaken by the episode. No one goes shopping to witness such behaviour.”

It is not the first time the shop has been targeted.

In October, 2010, a man walked into the shop and picked up a box of Bulmers cider from a shelf opposite the till and went to walk out. As he approached the exit, staff noticed he had not paid and they tried to stop him.

The man pulled out a gun and threatened a young female member of staff.

A Co-op spokesman said: “Our food store in Ainsworth Lane was raided by two men armed with knives. A quantity of cash was stolen.

“At the time, there were two customers and two members of staff in the store. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

“CCTV footage has been given to the police who are investigating. As with any incident such as this, we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward and contact the police, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”