TWO women were threatened with handguns and told to lay on the floor after armed robbers burst into a Burnley off licence.

One of the shop assistants at Victoria Wine, Manchester Road, was also dragged to the front counter where one of two raiders demanded to know where cigarettes were kept.

Officers hunting the two robbers today appealed for any information about the incident - which happened at about 7.40 last night - but did not link it to other robberies which have occurred in the Burnley area recently.

The two men escaped with hundreds of pounds from the safe after threatening the women, who were forced to lie on the floor of the back room.

The men were both wearing dark coloured scarves and woollen hats pulled down to partially hide their faces and armed with what appeared to be hand guns.

Det Sgt Peter Simm said: "Both men went behind the counter and into the rear stock room where two female members of staff were working.

"One of the women was dragged into the shop and asked where the cigarettes were kept.

"Both were then forced to lay down on the floor in the back while the money was taken from the safe."

Also stolen were a number of phone cards, Victoria Wine vouchers and a black leather single strap shoulder bag with a press stud fastening belonging to one of the shop workers.

The men then made off leaving the frightened women in the back room.

Det Sgt Simm said: "The women were badly shaken by what happened. There was no extreme violence and the firearms were not discharged but it was a traumatic experience for them."

Police have carried out forensic examinations at the store and are also studying CCTV footage.

Kathryn Prentice, manager of the off-licence, declined to comment on the incident but said: "Everyone is very upset about what has happened."

Police are anxious to trace the driver of a white, blue or grey Vauxhall Cavalier seen parked near to the shop at the time.

Det Sgt Simm said: "We would like to hear from the driver of that car to eliminate it from our inquiries if it was not involved."

The two women were due to be interviewed today.

Anyone with information should contact Burnley CID on 01282 472144 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The raid comes just days after more than 100 weapons, including replica handguns, machine gun ammunition and gangland knives, were handed into Pennine Police as part of a Christmas and New Year amnesty.

The police urged people to hand over their weapons after a six month campaign to warn children about the dangers of using air rifles and ball bearing guns by armed response officers.