POLICE are hunting a tanning shop raider who stole a quantity of cash armed with a pink-handled knife.

They have released a CCTV video of the armed robbery at the shop on Bradshawgate, Leigh, and are appealing for anyone who recognises the man to come forward.

The hooded man entered the premises at 4.30pm on Saturday, December 17, and forced the till open using a screwdriver.

As the till opened he was interrupted by a member of staff, who had been alerted to someone entering the shop by the door chime ringing.

Police say the raider turned to the staff member and said, while pointing the knife: “I am not going to hurt you, I just want the money out of the till.”

He emptied it and fled, turning left out of the shop and taking the first right.

Officers later recovered a screwdriver by the till.

Detective constable Chris Waddicar, from Greater Manchester Police’s Wigan borough division, said: “This was a calculated attack on a small business with the individual waiting to pounce until the staff were in the store cupboard.

“Fortunately no-one was injured in the robbery, but the fear the offender has caused is something the victims are going to live with for a very long time."

The man is described as white, between 5ft 9ins and 6ft and was wearing a black hooded jacket and trousers.

The hood on the jacket was up and pulled tightly so that there was a minimum amount of his face showing.

DC Waddicar added: “If anyone recognises the man in the CCTV, or has any information about the robbery, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 7331 or 101, quoting reference number 1,701 of December 17, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.