A woman was left terrified after she was threatened at gunpoint during a robbery.

Police are now appealing for witnesses afer the incident, which happened at the Coral bookmakers on Barton Road, Stretford, at about 8.50pm on Saturday July 12.

The offender walked into the bookmakers posing as a customer but then pulled a black handgun from his trousers and pointed it at the cashier, demanding money from the safe.

Frightened, the woman gave him a relatively small quantity of cash. The gunman then grew frustrated at the time taken to open the safe and left the shop through the main entrance.

He is described as being of mixed race, about 25 to 30 years old, 6ft 3in tall and of medium to stocky build. He was also said to have black hair with a bit of stubble. He was wearing a black zip-up sports jacket with a white trim, black shiny tracksuit bottoms, black trainers and spoke with a 'Cockney' accent.

Police are now appealing to anyone who has information about this incident to come forward and contact police.

Detective Constable Zoe MacNaughton from Stretford CID said: "This was a frightening incident for the woman who was going about her job when she was threatened at gunpoint. She had no idea what the gunman was intending and is understandably shaken up.

"The offender is clearly a dangerous individual with access to a firearm and I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward so we can apprehend this man.

"Greater Manchester Police does not tolerate the use of firearms and every effort is being made to rid our communities of these dangerous weapons."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Stretford CID on 0161 856 7671 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.