Have you seen the muffin man?

A CCTV image of the man the police are looking for

This robber used a chocolate muffin to help himself to the takings from the till of the One Stop Shop in Butler Green, Chadderton.

The man, who had just left the store after buying a packet of sweets, returned having asked a woman outside for some change.

He picked up a chocolate muffin and queued to pay, but when the till drawer opened, he pushed the member of staff and grabbed money.

The staff member tried to shut the drawer on the offender but he managed to run out.

The robber is described as white, in his early 20s, about 5ft 10in tall, of slim build with short dark hair.

He was wearing a grey jacket and blue jeans.

Detectives are also appealing for another man who was standing next to the offender waiting to buy a drink to come forward.

He is described as white, in his early 20s and about 5ft 10in tall.

He had short mousy-coloured hair and was wearing a white and orange striped T-shirt with a large motif on the back.

The theft, at 8.40pm on Sunday, was captured on CCTV and detectives have released the footage in the hope of tracing the offender.

Det Cons Stewart Lindsey said: “This was a very serious offence which shook members of staff.

“While no weapons were brandished, and while nobody was hurt, we are investigating this as a robbery.

“We are appealing for customers who were in the shop at this time to contact us, particularly the man in the orange and white T shirt, and would ask anyone who recognises the man featured in the footage to call us.

“We are pursuing a number of positive lines of inquiry, and would like to reassure residents and businesses in Chadderton that offences like this are rare.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161-856 8951 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.