MASKED armed robbers have struck at a superstore where they smashed bottles of alcohol and hit a security guard with a crow bar.

Four masked men wearing dark clothing arrived at the Asda on Windemere Road, Leigh in a white Audi. One was carrying a crow bar and another was carrying a stone.

The men split up, with one watching the security guard who was stood by the door, while the others went in and told the people in the shop to get on the floor.

They took cigarettes and then began smashing bottles of alcohol, before hitting the security guard with the crow bar.

The men then fled the scene in the same Audi they had arrived in.

The first man is described as having a medium build, wearing light grey jogging bottoms, black trainers and a black hooded top with a black scarf pulled over his face. He was carrying a large bag which had green and yellow handles.

The second man holding the crow bar is described as white, of a medium build with a local accent. He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms, a black and grey hooded top, with black gloves and a ski mask.

The third man carrying a piece of stone is described as having a medium build, wearing dark grey jogging bottoms, black trainers and a black hooded top with the hood up to cover his face.

The fourth man is described as wearing a dark blue hooded top that had yellow or orange drawstrings, with a black balaclava, black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers with white soles.

The incident took place shortly before 10pm on Saturday, December 2.

Detective Constable Amelia Trimble of GMP's Wigan borough, said: "This was a vicious attack that put the security guard, the people in the shop at the time, and hard-working staff, at real risk.

"The fact they entered the store armed with a crow bar shows they were so set on taking items from the shop that they were prepared to hurt innocent people.

"If you recognise the descriptions of the offenders, saw a white Audi around Leigh at the time this incident happened, or saw something that could help with our investigation, please get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 7292 or 101, quoting incident number 2118 of 02/12/17. Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.