POLICE have released CCTV images in connection with two armed robberies which took place on the same day.

Two McColls convenience stores were targeted by robbers on Sunday, July 30 around 3.30pm on Newton Road in Lowton, and then around 10.50pm at Atherton Road in Hindley.

In the first incident in Lowton, two men entered the store carrying an axe with one of them jumping over the counter and the second man going behind the till and threatening a female shop assistant with an axe.

The men ordered her to open the till before using the weapon to force the cash register open.

Several hours later, the Hindley shop was struck by two men who jumped over the counter and threatened an employee with a knife.

The terrified worker opened the cash register and the men ran off with the till’s contents in an unknown direction.

Detective constable Jessica Samouelle of GMP’s Wigan Borough, said: “The assistants at these McColls stores have been left in shock after being threatened with weapons to open the stores’ tills.

“I can only hope that someone recognises the men in the images in order to help with our investigation.

“I am urging anyone who was in either Hindley or Lowton at the time and saw anything or know the men in the images, to please come forward.”

Anyone with any information about the incidents should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 1,386 of July 30, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.