BALACLAVA-clad robbers armed with sledgehammers broke into a betting shop as terrified staff members locked themselves in a back room.

Two armed robbers entered a shop on Firs Lane, Leigh, at around 8pm last Tuesday.

They went to the cashiers' area where they used the sledgehammer to break through the door.

While this was happening the cashiers working in the shop managed to lock themselves in the back room.

The robbers took all the cash from the tills and fled the shop in an unknown direction.

The first offender is described as 5ft 10ins to 6ft and was wearing all black clothing apart from red gloves.

The second was the same height, had a slim build and was carrying a yellow JD Sports bag.

Detective Constable Lee Jamieson said: “Thankfully the people working behind the counter managed to lock themselves away, otherwise this could have turned out very differently.

“These men chose to threaten the innocent people working in the shop with sledgehammers, knowing it would terrify them, just so they could take cash.

“I am urging anyone who may have been in the shop or in the area at the time and noticed anything out of the ordinary, or anyone who recognises the description of the men, to please get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 7292 or 101, quoting incident number 2,076 of November 14, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.