ROBBERS threatened shop staff with a crook lock before stealing cigarettes and cash on Friday night.

Workers at the Late Shop on Hawthorn Avenue, Sankey, were left shaken but unhurt after the robbery which took place at 9pm.

A police spokesman said: "Two men entered the shop, one brandishing a crook lock, and the staff were threatened. The second man jumped over the counter and stole cigarettes from the shelves and cash from the tills.

"The offenders then made off, getting into a stolen black Cavalier car - registration J127VBF - which they drove in the direction of Liverpool Road."

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen any suspicious activity in Hawthorn Avenue before the robbery, or seen the men making their escape.

The first man was white, in his mid to late 20s, about 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall, of medium build with blue eyes. His hair was possibly fair under a dark woollen hat, and he was wearing a blue all-weather waist length jacket, with a light grey fleece line pulled up to the neck, and dark blue trousers.

The second man was also white, aged between 20 and 30 years, and around 6ft to 6ft 2ins tall. He was of slim build, wearing a dark full faced balaclava helmet, black jacket, black trousers, a track suit top and black padded ski gloves.

Anyone with any information is asked to telephone Warrington CID on 652222.

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