MASKED raiders armed with an axe and a hammer stole gold rings, chains and necklaces worth around £4,000 in a daring daylight raid on a Bolton town centre jewellers.

Two men pulled up in a car outside The Gold Centre in Corporation Street yesterday morning.

One carrying a lump hammer and a small chopping axe got out and smashed a window at the jewellers.

He reached inside and snatched a tray of gold jewellery, worth an estimated £4,000, before both raiders jumped back into the waiting car and escaped.

The getaway car -- a maroon-coloured saloon -- was later found abandoned by police.

Workers and shoppers watched the drama unfold at 9.45am. One witness said: "A man got out of the car with a small lump hammer and smashed the window before they screeched away. People were shouting and screaming as the town centre was just starting to get busy."

Another worker who watched the robbery said: "I saw a man with a balaclava on his head. He got out of the car and had a hammer and an axe, then smashed the window with the hammer. We just panicked. He could have had a gun."

Witnesses said the raiders were aged around 20 but no further descriptions were available.

A police spokesman said today: "We would appeal for any witnesses or anyone who may have information to come forward." Contact Bolton police on 0161 872 5050 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.