A POLICE officer who was shot after challenging armed robbers has vowed to return to work as soon as possible.

PC Katie Johnson, 29, needed surgery to remove 12 shotgun pellets from her left thigh after being shot while responding to a 999 call at a pub in Bamber Bridge.

She had challenged one of the robbers who was wearing a balaclava and carrying a shot gun but was shot when she ordered him to put down his weapon.

PC Johnson said: "My natural reaction at the time was to challenge the offender. I'm a police officer and I joined to try and protect and help people. Everything happened so quickly, one minute I was at the pub, the next in an ambulance being taken the hospital."

She added: "I plan to get myself ready for action and look forward to returning to work soon."

PC Johnson has been a police officer for six years but has only been with the Lancashire police's dog handling unit for three months.

Her dog, Chaos, was unhurt in the incident.

PC Johnson said: "One of my first thoughts was that Chaos is ok and I'm looking forward to seeing him. I'm told that the workers at the pub and Ian (PC Ian Tinsley) are all doing well and I'm pleased at that. It must have been a horrific time for the staff and I hope they make a full recovery and are able to get the pub open soon."

Two men from the Manchester area, aged 37 and 40, have been arrested in connection with the attack and are continuing to be questioned by police.

One was arrested hiding in a wood nearby, while the other was found walking along the trans-Pennine railway track on the Preston to Blackburn line.