ARMED robbers armed with a machete, crowbar and handgun made off with a sack full of cigarettes from a Co-op store.

Police were alerted to reports of the armed robbery which took place at the store on The Gables Shopping Centre in Astley.

The trio of armed men approached the cigarette counter and filled a sack with cigarettes while employees remained in the back of the store.

No-one was injured during the robbery, police have said.

One offender was described as slim build, wearing a black ski mask with a grey waist length waterproof hooded coat and dark tracksuit bottoms.

He also wore black trainers and black gloves whilst carrying a large silver machete with a black handle.

The second offender was described as slim build, wearing a blue hooded waterproof coat, black trousers and grey and black Nike trainers.

He also wore black gloves and carried a crowbar.

The third offender was described as tall, of slim build, wearing a black ski mask with three holes, a black waist length hooded top and black trousers with grey and black trainers.

He also wore black gloves and carried a handgun.

The armed robbery took place on Sunday night (November 26) shortly before 9.50pm.

Detective Constable Andrew Partington, of GMP’s Wigan borough, said: “The fact that these men were all armed with dangerous weapons shows that they were prepared to harm anyone that got in their way.

“Thankfully the employees were able to get to the back of the store where they remained unharmed and were able to raise an alarm.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time that may have seen anything suspicious, or seen men matching the descriptions, to please get in touch.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference number 2098 of 26/11/17, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.