A 55-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery following two armed robberies at McColl's on Admirals Road in Birchwood.

The man, who is from the area, is currently in custody assisting officers with their enquiries.

On Friday, March 22 shortly after 10.30pm, a man brandishing a firearm entered the newsagents and pointed the weapon at staff.

He demanded that they open the till before filling a black bin bag with its contents and leaving.

This was the second such incident within the space of just over a month after a previous raid by a gunman at the Oakwood Centre store at around 8.30pm on Saturday, February 16.

On that occasion, the offender threatened members of staff and a customer, demanding money from the till.

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He stashed a quantity of cash in a plastic McColl’s bag and stole a pack of cigarettes during the armed robbery, before fleeing via the back of the building and Whitethroat Walk.