An investigation is underway after a man was assaulted in a shop by two robbers armed with a gun and a meat cleaver.

The armed robbers targeted the Village Convenience Store on Middleton Road, Heywood last Friday at just after 9pm.

The two men entered the shop and threated the victim before hitting him several times on the head, requiring him to have hospital treatment, before they escaped the store emptyhanded.

Detective Sergeant Sam Taylor said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim in which he courageously defended himself. 

"We’re following all available lines of enquiry to identify these offenders and we're appealing to anyone who may have been in the area at the time and saw the offenders either before or after the incident.

“Did you witness anyone behaving suspiciously?

“Anyone with information, no matter how small, should get in touch with police.”

According to police, the robbers are both white men who appear to be in their mid-20s.

One was wearing a blue coat with a grey fur hood, grey tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

The other was wearing a black padded coat with a hoody underneath, grey jogging bottoms and black trainers with a white trim.

Witnesses can contact police on 0161 856 8719 quoting incident number 2976 of 11/03/22.

Alternatively, they can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.