POLICE hunting a gunman who burst into a house and demanded cash today issued a description of a car they want to trace.

And detectives released an e-fit image of the man involved in the robbery.

The man, described as being in his 20s or 30s, barged his way into the house in Oban Drive, Blackburn, at 6pm last Wednesday after knocking at the door.

He grabbed the woman who opened the door and pulled her into the living room, where her husband was feeding their two children, aged two-and-a-half and six months.

He pushed a single-barrelled shotgun into the chest of the man, a local car dealer, before demanding money.

He escaped with £2,500, but warned he would be back and would kill the children if the couple told the police.

Police now hope the image put together after taking statements from the couple will lead to them tracking down the man who put the family through their "terrifying" ordeal.

They are also looking for information on a metallic grey coloured Ford Escort which was seen leaving the scene, believed to have a registration plate similar to H66 XUS.

DS Paul Withers of Blackburn CID, said: "We hope that the details of the car or the e-fit will trigger something in people's minds.

"This was a particularly nasty incident and a terrifying ordeal for the family.

"We don't think it will happen again, and hope it is a one off but we would appeal for anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible."

The offender is described as in his 20s or 30s and proportionate in size to his height. His head was shaven but with around half-and-inch of growth on it. He is also described as having 'pointed' features.

Anyone with any information can call Blackburn CID on 01254 353569 or 0800 555 111.