AN OFF-LICENCE employee recalled the terrifying moment masked robbers burst into the store wielding a knife and a hammer.

The 50-year-old woman, with her female colleague, aged 22, were forced to hand over a three-figure cash sum after the duo entered Bargain Booze in Gleneagles Road, Great Sutton, at 9.45pm last Wednesday.

She said: “It was really frightening. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. There were just the two of us inside at the time. They probably timed it then because we were nearly closing.

She added: “We had to just co-operate and hand over whatever they wanted. We’re both fine and it hasn’t put me off work.”

Ellesmere Port Inspector Richard Rees said: “Clearly it was a frightening incident. I know it’s one of CID’s top priorities. From a community point of view it is an area we’re looking at closely to provide reassurance to residents.”

The first offender is described as white, between 5ft and 5ft 5ins tall, of average build, and aged in his teens. He wore a black shiny hooded jacket and dark tracksuit bottoms.

His accomplice was white, the same height and build, and in his mid-teens. He wore a navy and black waterproof coat and a white baseball cap.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Nigel Moore said: “Someone may have seen the offenders running from the scene in the Thorne Drive and Skipton Drive areas of Little Sutton at approximately 9.45pm.”

If you have any information call DC Moore on 01244 613150 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number cc09155856.