A ROBBER armed with a sawn-off shotgun stole cash from a bookmakers at the end of Grand National day.

The man went into Stanley Racing, Whalley New Road, Blackburn, before closing on Saturday, and threatened two members of staff before escaping with a four-figure sum.

Police said he ran up Bastwell Road. No shots were fired and nobody was injured during the robbery, at the end of what is traditionally the busiest day of the year for bookmakers.

Darren Pinder, manager of the branch, said: "When he came in I was just coming out to tidy the front of the shop before we left for the day. He shouted and began swearing at us then I could see it was a shotgun.

"I couldn't move. I was stunned. He kept shouting to get on the floor and he put the gun to my head.

"It felt like an age and I didn't know if he was going to hit or kick me while I was on the floor."

Detective Sergeant Ian Critchley said: "The man was carrying a black and brown rucksack.

"He produced from it what we believe to be a single barrel sawn-off shotgun and threatened the two staff members.

"He demanded they hand over money, which they did."

The gunman was described as white, in his mid 30s, 5ft 7in, of medium build and wearing a navy baseball cap and a navy fleece. DS Critchley said: "We are obviously appealing for witnesses who were either in the area before or in the bookies at 6pm.

"We are particularly interested in people who may have been in Bastwell Road where the person was last sighted.

"We treat any incident regarding firearms as serious."

Anyone with information should call Blackburn police on 01254 51212.