TWO masked men are being hunted after they threatened staff at a Blackburn bookmakers with what police believe was a crossbow.

The pair fired the weapon at a glass window after bursting into the Coral shop, in Johnston Street, at around 8.15pm on Wednesday.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Nothing was stolen during the attempted robbery, while staff escaped unharmed but 'extremely traumatised', Lancashire police said.

DS Ben Hodgkinson, from Blackburn CID, said: "This was a nasty and violent attack, and I am thankful that nobody was hurt as a result.

"Although the offenders failed to steal any money from the premises, the incident has left the shop workers involved extremely traumatised.

"We know that Johnston Street was particularly busy at that time, and I appeal for anyone with information to get in contact with us."

DS Hodgkinson said the culprits threatened staff with weapon and attacked a glass security screen, before fleeing empty handed.

One of the men is described as being 6ft tall, of athletic build, and was wearing dark clothing. He was carrying what is believed to be the crossbow weapon.

The second man is described as being just over 6ft tall, of athletic build, wearing light coloured clothing. He is thought to have been armed with a hammer-type implement.

Police did not say if there were any customers in the store, at the junction with Whittaker Street, at the time.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident reference 1392 of March 18.