TWO masked robbers are being hunted after they threatened staff at a betting shop in Atherton with an axe and baseball bat.

The moment they struck was caught on security cameras.

The two men wearing balaclavas forced their way into Ladbroke's Racing Shop on Market Street, and demanded cash before escaping with money from the till, some of which had red dye on.

The men escaped in a V registration silver Audi A4 driven by a third man, which had been parked in a lay-by opposite.

The vehicle, which was stolen, was later abandoned on Cowper Avenue, Atherton, and the gang fled on foot in the direction of Wordsworth Avenue, Atherton.

The robber armed with the baseball bat was wearing a grey top, blue tracksuit bottoms with white piping down the outside of the legs and black trainers.

The axe man was dressed in a black top, beige tracksuit bottoms and white trainers. Police are appealing for any witnesses to the robbery last Thursday at around 8.40pm to contact them.

They would particularly like to speak to anyone who saw the gang before the robbery while they were in the car in Market Street.

Call Leigh C.I.D on 0161 856 7253 or Crimnestoppers on 0800 555 111.