TWO men have been charged in connection with a robbery at a jewellery shop.

Jamie Sharples, aged 21, of Wardham Close, Westhoughton, and Kieran Stuart, aged 21, of no fixed abode, appeared before magistrates in Bolton yesterday.

They are accused of committing a robbery at The Diamond Store in Crown Street, Bolton, on July 31, 2007.

During the raid, three offenders armed with hammers ran into the store and smashed open display cases. The gang escaped in a stolen getaway car with £36,000 worth of jewellery.

Sharples and Stuart were arrested on Tuesday and were charged with robbery.

They have been remanded in custody and will appear at Bolton Crown Court next month.