A shop assistant fended off a thug with a cardboard box when he attempted to steal cash from the shop where she worked.

At about 7.10am on Wednesday, the thief entered Kays newsagent on Manchester Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and threatened to punch the woman behind the counter if she didn't hand over cash from the till.

She refused, and when he tried to get round the counter, she blocked his way with a large box.

He then grabbed some scratch cards from the counter and ran off.

The shop assistant, a woman in her 50s, was uninjured but left shocked by her ordeal.

The offender is described as black, in his early 20s, 5ft 8in tall, quietly spoken and wearing dark tracksuit bottoms, a dark jacket and a dark scarf or bandana that covered most of his face, apart from his eyes.

Detective Constable Louise Howarth, of West Didsbury CID, said: "This must have been very scary for the woman involved.

"However, she deserved enormous credit for sticking to her guns and not letting this thug anywhere near the till."

Anyone with information is asked to call West Didsbury CID on 0161 856 6153 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.