HORRIFIED shoppers watched on as four men in balaclavas wielding an axe, a sledgehammer and knives robbed a busy supermarket.

After entering Lidl, in Bury New Road, Prestwich, the offenders approached staff and threatened them to open the tills at about 7.30pm on Wednesday.

They then used the sledgehammers to smash open the tills, taking £750 in cash.

The armed robbers then left the store, heading in the direction of Manchester city centre, in a blue Ford Focus, registration ND05 VZC, which is currently outstanding stolen from the Salford area.

All men were described as white males.

The first was described as 6’2”, of slim build and with a Mancunian accent.

He was wearing a beige hooded top and a balaclava covering his face, and carrying a sledgehammer.

The second man was described as 5’8”, of slim build and with a Mancunian accent.

He was wearing a dark hooded top and a balaclava, with a ‘Punisher’ emblem on it, and carrying an axe.

The third man was described as 5’10”, of slim build, wearing all black with his face covered and holding an 8” to 10” curved knife with a wooden handle.

The fourth man was not described further.

A fifth offender is believed to have been driving the getaway vehicle but was not seen.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident.

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101, quoting incident log 1976 of February 1.

Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.