DETECTIVES are investigating the possibility that two armed robberies committed in the Bury area within an hour of each other could be linked.

Two men in balaclavas entered the Co-op Late Shop on Mile Lane at about 8.45pm and demanded cash from the female cashier.

One of the robbers jumped over the counter brandishing a 12in cream handled knife and emptied the till before both men ran off.

They were both wearing black jackets, jeans, black scarves covering their faces and black woollen beanie hats pulled down over their heads. Witness Stephen Webb, aged 24, said: "Three men pushed me and a teenager who was outside the shop out of the way. One threatened me with something, I couldn't see what it was and shouted for us to move.

The second armed robbery happened around an hour later at a service station on Stubbins Lane in Ramsbottom.

Shortly before 10pm, three men in balaclavas entered the shop area of the garage just as the security shutters were being lowered.

They were armed with a machete and a monkey wrench and threatened two female members of staff.

The gang stole the takings and escaped in a black coloured Audi. No one was injured.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "We cannot rule out the possibility that these two robberies may be linked, and may have been committed by the same gang."

No one has been injured but the offenders have been armed with weapons on each occasion and it is vital we catch them."