Police are appealing for help to catch a hapless crook who tried to rob a fish and chip shop with what appeared to be a banana.

The masked raider burst into the takeaway and pointed the 'gun' at staff while he screamed 'open that f***ing till now'.

But the makeshift weapon actually seemed to be nothing more than a piece of curved fruit concealed in a plastic bag.

CCTV then shows him fumbling in his pocket to try and pull out another weapon - but he failed and then fled the takeaway empty-handed.

A video clip released by Greater Manchester Police shows an offender trying to rob a fish and chip shop with a camouflaged weapon - believed to be a banana

He is seen screaming at the staff to 'open the f***ing till' but the workers stand firm

Police have released footage of the raid in Atherton, Greater Manchester - prompting online debate about what weapon was used.

One person said: 'He just robbed that shop with a banana wrapped in a plastic bag.'

Another added: 'The fool is waving a aubergine in a plastic bag about?'

One even wrote: 'He looks like he's holding a d**** wrapped in a plastic bag.'

The incident happened at the shop in Leigh Road, Atherton, at around 8.45pm on Saturday, February 11.

Detective sergeant David Johnston, of Greater Manchester Police's Wigan borough division, said: 'I am appealing for information about this terrifying incident, which put these people's safety in danger, all for petty cash from a till.'

He can be seen attempting to draw another weapon from his pocket before fleeing the premises in Atherton, Wigan

Police were called to reports at around 8.45pm on Saturday 11 February that a man had entered the shop on Leigh Road, Howe Bridge, and threatened staff with a concealed weapon

The offender is described as white, around 6ft tall and of a slim build.

He was wearing a blue jumper with a black hooded jacket underneath and had black material covering most of his face.

DS Johnson added: 'If anyone recognises the man in the CCTV footage, or has any other information that may help us, then I urge you to get in touch.'

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 7292 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.