ARMED robbers wearing ski masks brandishing machetes raided a convenience store in Woolston last night.

The One Stop on Dam Lane was targeted during an armed robbery shortly after 10pm yesterday, Thursday.

Two men carrying machetes and wearing ski masks went into the shop and demanded that the two female shopkeepers take them to the store’s safe.

They stole a quantity of cash and cigarettes before being disturbed by a customer entering the premises.

The pair chased the man outside before fleeing in a light-coloured Ford Focus, which travelled along Gig Lane in the direction of Manchester Road.

This car had been parked at the back of the shop and was driven by a third offender.

One of the men who raided the store was described as being tall, while the other was shorter.

Both were wearing hooded tops and had dark clothing on.

Detective constable John Parry said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the women who were working at the store and the man who entered the shop whilst the robbery was in progress.

“They have understandably been left extremely shaken up, and we are committed to doing all that we can to identify the offenders and bring them to justice.

“The investigation is currently in the very early stages and we are following a number of lines of enquiry.

“As part of our investigation, we want to hear from anyone who was in the area and believes that they may have seen, or have dashcam footage of, the offenders or the light-coloured Ford Focus they were travelling in.

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“We also want to speak to anyone who believes that they may know who the offenders are or have any other information that may aid our investigation.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML453412, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.