A RED and white race replica motorbike could be the key to a night time robbery at a village grocery.

Terrified assistants at the shop in Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw, were threatened with a baseball bat by a helmeted raider who snatched £200 takings from a till.

The man, who was wearing a crash helmet with the visor pulled down, ran out of the shop and jumped on to the back of a waiting motorcycle which roared off in the direction of Leigh.

Det Chief Insp Ian Hilton of Leigh Police said the raid happened around 8pm on Friday and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who may have details of the machine or its whereabouts.

He said: "Somebody may remember seeing it. It was a distinctive red and white sports machine with a fairing."

The man who entered the shop is described as slim, about 5'8" tall with blonde hair and a local accent. He wore a black helmet, with a blue and white stripe, and a blue scarf.