Detectives are appealing for information following an armed robbery at a shop in Southport this morning, Sunday 18 June.

Officers were called at just before 7.30am to the Freshway General Store on Rufford Road to reports that two men had entered the premises. It is believed that one of the men was armed with a sword and one was armed with a handgun.

The men left the shop with a quantity of cash and cigarettes.

The shop assistant suffered an injury to their face during the incident and has been left badly shaken up by their ordeal.

One of the men was wearing a grey North Face hooded top, dark grey shorts and black and white trainers and the second one was wearing a black North Face hooded top, black bottoms and black shoes. Both had green scarves covering their faces and were carrying a green drawstring bag.

It is believed they turned left when they exited the shop and then turned right into Brade Street.

An investigation is currently underway.

Detective Inspector Steve Reardon said: “This was a particularly nasty robbery. The shop assistant was simply going about their business and thankfully is not badly hurt but it is vital that we catch the people responsible and bring them to justice.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Rufford Road who may have seen anything suspicious or saw two men fitting the descriptions of the men either entering the shop or running along Rufford Road or Brade Street afterwards to get in touch. Any information may be vital to the investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 3094 or 0151 777 3931 or the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Jesus, armed robbery for a couple of hundred quid. That worth's getting 15 years for isn't it. Idiots.