A shop worker was stabbed during an armed robbery at a village supermarket.
Police have launched an investigation following the raid at Asda on Park Lane in Poynton on Sunday.
Officers raced to the store after an alarm activated at 7.30am.
A 49-year-old man, believed to be a team leader at the store, was discovered with a puncture wound to his shoulder.
Police say he tried to stop the raiders and was attacked.
A significant amount of cash was taken from a safe.
The victim, who has not been named, was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital, where he received stitches and was allowed home later that day.
Police cordoned off the scene for forensic investigation.
Officers are viewing CCTV footage from the store and surrounding businesses.
A police manhunt is underway for two offenders.
They were both white. One was about 6ft, the other about 5ft 9. Both wore black clothes and gloves and balaclavas.
Shoppers and workers in nearby businesses described their shock at the level of violence used.
One woman in her 70s, who did not want to be named, said: “You have petty crime on this stretch from time to time but we’ve never had anything this bad before. It is awful. It’s shocking. The man was just trying to do his job. He must have been terrified. I hope he is okay. I hope they catch who did it.”
PCSOs visited shops and businesses along the busy stretch for reassurance.
Det Insp Chris Morrall said: “Staff are extremely shocked and shaken by their ordeal and the member of staff who was seriously injured has been taken to hospital.
“We take all incidents of this nature extremely seriously and are doing all we can to trace the offenders.
“The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident is underway and we are piecing together as much information as we can.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information which might assist with our enquiries is being asked to contact the police immediately.
“Incidents of this nature are extremely worrying to the local community and we would like to reassure both the staff involved and the local community that we are doing everything we can to trace those involved.
“We have officers out in the community talking to residents and are working with the business to reassure staff.”
