TWO men have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a bookmakers which took place yesterday, Sunday.

Police were called to Betfred on Elliott Street in Tyldesley just before 11.30am after staff and customers were threatened by two masked men carrying a sawn-off shotgun.

A man in his 30s as well as another in his 40s were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender with enquiries currently ongoing.

Officers believe the incident may be related to an attempted robbery which took place earlier on the same day around 11am at a convenience store on Highfield Road in Farnworth where the suspects fled the scene in a white Citroen Nemo.

Police traced the vehicle to a Tyldesley address with further searches leading to the recovery of the firearm as well as a quantity of cash and drugs.

Detective sergeant Craig Hurst, of GMP’s Wigan borough, said: “This was a brazen attack during daylight hours which has left the witnesses extremely shaken.

“Thankfully no-one was injured but that doesn’t excuse what the staff and customers had to ordeal at the hands of these violent men.

“I would urge anyone that was in the area at the time that thinks they might have seen something that could help our investigation to please get in touch.”

Both of the armed robbers in Tyldesley are described as around 5ft 10inches tall and wore balaclavas.

One of them was wearing light grey jogging bottoms with green writing while the other man was dressed in all-black clothing.

If you have any information about the robbery, contact the police on 101 quoting incident number 1,007 of August 13 or crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.