POLICE have released details of a man they wish to trace in connection with a robbery at a Leftwich newsagent.

As reported in the Guardian last week, the assistant manager of Martins, on Clifton Drive, was left bound and gagged after being bundled into a back office at the premises shortly after unlocking the store at 5am on Thursday, September 8.

An undisclosed sum of cash was taken from the shop safe and an unknown quantity of cigarettes was also stolen before the culprit made his getaway by car.

Now police are calling for witnesses who may have seen the man to come forward. He is described as white, about 6ft and was wearing a long, dark leather jacket and baseball cap at the time of the incident.

A spokesman said: "At 5am a man entered the store and approached a member of staff, making threats that he was armed.

"He demanded cigarettes and cash from the safe.

"The victim was uninjured but extremely shocked as a result of the raid."

Security cameras are in place at the precinct but neighbouring shopkeeper Debbie Berry, of Apple Blossom Florist, said she believes it is almost impossible to stop such incidents occurring.

She added: "This could have happened anywhere. There is not a great deal you can do to prevent it, but it does concern you."

Anyone with any information about the robbery should contact DC Steven Jackson on 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.