Man hurt tackling robbers

POLICE have revealed how a 65-year-old man was injured as he tried to grab a sledgehammer from armed robbers.

The Chronicle reported on Thursday how the thieves had targeted Co-Op Travel, Rochdale Road, Royton, using the hammer to access an office before stealing cash and fleeing the scene in a black Ford Focus, which was later recovered.

In a fresh appeal for information, Greater Manchester Police has now released more details of the terrifying raid, which took place between 1.35pm and 1.45pm on Wednesday.

Three men wearing balaclavas, one armed with the sledgehammer, burst into the store demanding money.

The 65-year-old man was pushed to the floor and hit his head when he tried to grab the sledgehammer from the offender. He was taken to hospital, where he received treatment for a minor head injury.

DC Leigh Carnally said: "This robbery took place in the middle of the day in a busy shopping precinct so someone must have seen what happened.

"I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have information that can help us with our investigation to call us."

Anyone with information should call police on 101.