TWO masked men threatened staff and stole cash during a robbery at a shop in Urmston.

But the thieves got more than they bargained for when the security dye inside the stolen till drawer activated and sprayed them with pink dye.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the raid on The Local in Stretford Road at about 8.15 last night.

The robbers went into the store armed with a crowbar and a brick and threatened the staff.

The men grabbed a cash box and cigarettes from behind the counter before one of them forced a member of staff into the back of the store and demanded more cash.

One of the men grabbed a till drawer and then they left the shop and got into a silver BMW driven by an accomplice, and headed off towards Stretford.

As they were driving the security dye inside the till drawer went off and the men through it out of the window.

No one was hurt during the incident but staff were left very shaken.

The men were both wearing dark clothing and balaclavas covering their faces and it is highly likely they would have traces of the pink dye on them.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Stretford CID on 0161 856 7658 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.