A FEMALE shop worker was assaulted during the second robbery in less than a month at a Winsford newsagents.

The 50-year-old was forced to open a safe at McColls at Willow Square, Wharton, at 7.15am on Sunday.

Police spokesperson Shelly Williams said a stocky man about 5ft 7ins tall burst into the shop and leapt over a freezer before grabbing the woman and shoving her into a back room.

“He was dressed in dark clothing and was wearing a ski mask,” she said.

“He entered the store and assaulted the female shop assistant. He then forced her to open the safe.”

She added: “The offender made off from the scene on foot with a quantity of cash.”

The woman was treated for minor facial injuries at Leigh- ton Hospital and released later the same day.

In the previous raid, two masked knifemen stole a large amount of cash during a raid on the night of October 7.

Two teenage boys, aged 14 and 16, have been arrested in connection with the first offence but they have been released on bail pending further enquiries.