ROBBERS attacked a security guard with a brick during a raid on a Burnley shop last night.

Two Securicor guards were taking money to a machine in the Spar shop in Todmorden Road at around 9.40pm when one of them was ambushed.

As one was taking the money into the shop he was attacked by two males, one of whom hit him several times around his lower body with a brick.

They then stole the cash box containing a substantial amount of money and made off on foot.

The guard was taken to Burnley General Hospital to be treated for his injuries, which are not thought to be serious, and was later released.

Lisa Davies, manager of the Spa shop, said: "The staff who were on last night were very shocked by the incident. They heard the commotion outside and went to see was going on.

"The men hit the guard with a brick and then picked up one of the Spa rubbish bins and hit him with that as well. We have never had anything like this happen here before."

The staff called the police and went to check on the guard who had been attacked. Police asked them to shut the store, which normally stays open until 10.30pm, so they could carry out forensic science tests.

Police said it was too early to link the raid to a similar attack on another Spa shop in June.

On that occasion two robbers wrestled with security officers delivering money to a cash machine at the Spa shop at the junction of Brunshaw Road and Brownside Road, Pike Hill.

They got away with a cash box containing £10,000.

DS Derek Jones said: "Until we have made further inquiries we can't confirm whether or not there is any connection between the two robberies."

Both men were described as white males in their mid-20s.

One was said to be 6ft 2in tall and skinny. He was wearing a light coloured baseball cap and a dark coloured scarf, which was covering his face. He was also wearing a jacket, dark tracksuit trousers and trainers.

The second man was said to be shorter and stockier. He had fair, collar-length hair and was also wearing a baseball cap and trainers.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who recognises the descriptions to contact them on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.