AN axe-wielding robber stole cash and cigarettes from a Bowdon shop.

Police are now appealing for witnesses following the incident, which took place on July 28 at around 9pm.

A man carrying an axe and scarf covering his face entered the Co-op store, on Vicarage Lane, demanding cash and cigarettes.

He told one of the shopkeepers to 'do as I say and you won’t get hurt', before forcing her to empty the contents of the cash drawer into a bag.

He also took a quantity of cigarettes.

The robber then fled in a silver Mercedes E Class saloon with a 06 licence plate, driving off on Vicarage Lane, towards Langdon Road.

The offender is described as white, around 5ft8in tall, 30-40 years old with a slim to medium build.

He was wearing black baseball cap, with a white shirt underneath, a brown jacket, dark trousers, black shoes and a scarf across the lower part of his face.

Det ConPaul Walls said: “The offender made off with around £200 cash and £100 in cigarettes.

“Luckily no one was hurt, but the staff were particularly shocked by what happened.

“We are studying CCTV images, but information from potential witnesses could prove invaluable.

“If you have any information, please call police on 0161 856 7572 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”