MACHETE raiders sprayed a woman worker with toxic liquid as more than 100 Leigh supermarket shoppers watched in horror.

Three masked men, armed with machetes, arrived at the Asda superstore on Kirkhall Lane in Leigh, on Thursday night in a stolen green BMW and threatened staff in an effort to steal a cash box.

The gang sprayed the gas into one member of staff's face before stealing the box and leaving the store.

They then drove away in a stolen Nissan Vanette, which was later found abandoned in an alleyway behind Oxford Street, Leigh.

The female shop assistant injured in the attack was treated by paramedics at the scene before receiving treatment at Wigan Royal Infirmary.

Detective Sergeant Dean Fraser said: "This appears to have been a well planned attack on a busy store when more than 100 people could see the men enter the shop, attack the staff and escape with a large quantity of cash.

"Initial reports from witnesses imply they arrived in one car and left in a van, which suggests they had planned this raid well in advance, leaving a get-away van at the scene.

"Fortunately the member of staff will suffer no lasting effects from the spray, but her injuries could have been far more serious."

The BMW, which had a personalised number plate, had been stolen from Clovelly Avenue two days before the robbery. The Nissan van had also been reported stolen from Lancashire.

The first offender was around 5'9 to 5'10, of medium build and was wearing a dark top, dark tracksuit trousers and black and silver Nike trainers.

The second was around 5'6 to 5'7 of medium build and was wearing similar clothing to the first offender.

The third man was around 5'6 of slim build and was wearing a navy pullover, black trousers and again Nike trainers in black and silver.

Police are appealing for anyone with who can help trace the movements of the two vehicles in the days before the robbery to contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7253 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.