A SHOPKEEPER today relived the terrifying moment when an armed would-be robber pointed a gun at him and squeezed the trigger.

Kanti Mistry quickly ducked behind the till and he fled out of Sanavis Off Licence, in Bury Road, Haslingden.

No bullet was fired and police believe the gun was an imitation to scare Mr Mistry and allow the youth and his two companions to escape.

Mr Mistry, who lives at the shop with his wife and two grown-up sons, said: "I could see he squeezed the trigger.

"Since then, I have wondered if it was a real gun, if he could have injured me and what the consequences could have been for my family. I was very frightened."

Mr Mistry has vowed to continue running the store, which sells sweets, confectionary and alcohol, despite the ordeal.

It is the first robbery he has experienced in the 14 years he has owned Sanavis, which is a combination of his two sons' names.

He was minding the shop from his living room on Monday evening, attending to customers in the adjacent room when the robbers burst in and tried to break into the till at 8.30pm.

Mr Mistry saw them on a CCTV monitor and went to challenge them.

The two younger ones, aged about 15, activated the alarm by shaking the till and knocking over a basket.

They fled out of the shop as Mr Mistry arrived, leaving behind the third youth, aged between 18 and 20.

He pointed the gun at the shopkeeper and said: "Get back!".

When Mr Mistry stood up again, he was heading out of the door. Mr Mistry tried to chase but they were out of reach and heading for Poplar Street

Mr Mistry said each of the youths was white, wearing light blue jeans with a black sweatshirt and hood that was partially concealing their faces.

The 15 year-old boys were about 5ft tall, the older one was around 5ft 9in with a long face, dark eyebrows and a pale complexion.

A police spokesman said: "The owner was threatened with what is believed to be an imitation gun.

"They left the scene without causing injury."

Anyone with information should contact the police at Rawtenstall on 01706 237442.