23/6/08 : A shopkeeper had a Samurai sword held to her face during an armed robbery at a Salford convenience store.

She was working in Cellar One on Lords Street, Cadishead, at about 3.45pm on Saturday when two armed robbers ran into the store.

The woman was told to get on the floor and was threatened by the man with the sword as another, armed with a hammer, stole cigarettes from behind the counter.

The man carrying the sword then forced the victim to open the till and the two men fled after putting the cash drawer into a blue duvet cover.

It is believed they may have escaped in a silver Ford Focus parked in a nearby alleyway.

The victim, who is in her 60s, was not physically injured but was left terrified by her ordeal and suffered bruising to her knees from being forced to the floor.

Police have now released CCTV footage of the incident and are appealing to anyone who recognises the two offenders to come forward.

"Shocking incident"

Detective Constable Horace Bell, of Salford CID, said: "This was a shocking incident and the victim was understandably very distressed. To have a sword held to your face must be a frightening experience.

"The offenders targeted this shop while the shopworker was alone and used extreme intimidation to get what they wanted.

"They are clearly two dangerous men and inquiries are underway to trace them. I would appeal for the public's help and ask that anyone who recognises these two men from the CCTV images, or has any information about what happened, to call us immediately."

The first offender is described as white, about 5ft 6in to 5ft 7in tall, in his late teens or early 20s and of medium build. He was wearing a dark hooded jacket, dark tracksuit bottoms and dark gloves.

The sword was about two feet long and had a gold handle.

The second man was also white, about 5ft 4in tall and appeared to be younger than his accomplice. He was of a slimmer build and wearing a grey hooded top and dark gloves.