SECURITY is to be stepped up at an Unsworth newsagents following a second armed robbery in just over a month.

A full-time security guard is one of the options being considered by bosses of Dillons for its branch in Sunnybank Road.

A spokesman told the Bury Times: "If it deters criminals from targeting our shops then we will consider employing a security guard to protect our staff and customers."

In the latest raid at 9.40pm on Wednesday (Jan 28), three masked men burst into store. One offender grabbed a woman staff member by the hair and threatened her with a knife, as he forced her to lock the front door.

The men then forced the woman and a male staff member to empty the contents of the till into a black bin bag, before stealing cash from the safe and cigarettes from a storeroom.

The offenders then left by the back entrance and made off towards Manchester Road. They were all wearing balaclavas, dark clothing and gloves, and were all of medium build.

In a similar raid on December 29, two armed men escaped with cash and cigarettes from the newsagents after threatening a lone female member of staff.

No-one was injured in either incident, but all the members of staff caught up in the robberies suffered shock.

Anyone who witnessed the latest robbery is asked to contact Bury CID on 856 8150.