The man walked calmly into both the Northwich and Weaverham branches of the building society wielding a 10-inch handgun, and in both cases ordered female members of staff to empty the tills.

As a result of details published in the Guardian last week, several people have called the police hotlines with information on possible suspects.

DS Nigel Groom of Northwich CID, who is in charge of the cases, said: "We have several lines of enquiry as a result of items published last week. We are investigating but as yet there has not been an arrest."

The robbery at the Northwich branch took place on Wednesday September 2, nearly a week after the Weaverham raid on August 27.

In both cases, the raider wore a dark blue hooded top, a dark coloured baseball cap, and white gardening gloves.

He was wearing a face-mask of black cloth over his mouth in both raids.

Immediately after the Northwich robbery, the man was followed by another member of staff, who was returning from her lunch break, into the heart of the town centre.

She watched as he pulled off his heavy clothing in the alley between the Midland Bank and Lavin's Wine Bar.

He ordered her, and another pedestrian, to stand back - while he still clutched at his handgun - before disappearing into the busy High Street.

"Any further information the public can give would be greatly appreciated," added DS Groom.

"Obviously this man is a threat to the area."

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