A SHOP assistant was forced to lock herself in a store room after two men burst into an off-licence brandishing a gun and demanding cash.

The robbery took place at 9.30 last Wednesday night at the Victoria Wine store in Derby Road, Farnworth.

Two men entered the shop and approached the woman assistant.

They then produced a handgun and ordered her to open the till.

The assistant ran immediately to the rear of the premises and locked herself in a store room.

A third man entered the shop and the assistant heard them rip out the till.

The three men then ran outside, dropped the till and escaped in a waiting vehicle.

Widnes CID have issued descriptions of the first two men and are asking witnesses to come forward who may have noticed the scene outside the shop.

The armed robber is described as white, of medium height and build, wearing a dark-coloured jacket with the hood pulled up and thick dark gloves.

His accomplice was white, aged around 30, about six feet tall, medium build with a thin face and short, cropped brown hair. He was wearing a dark top, light jeans and glasses.

If you have any information on the incident, call Jackie Catterall at Widnes CID on 01244 613733.

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