THREE shop workers today relived the terrifying moment when they stared down the barrel of a gun as a robber demanded: "Give me the money".

Moments later the man fled the Green Lane Service Station, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, with a substantial amount of cash after the raid at around 8.45pm on Saturday.

All three female workers, in their 20s, said that since the robbery they had struggled to sleep as their minds kept returning to the sight of gun aimed at them.

They have been given time off work until they feel confident enough to return.

One victim, who did not want to be named, said: "We saw the man outside but it was dark and you couldn't make anything out.

"He came towards the door and he opened it and immediately held out the gun. We were all in his sight."

The man demanded money several times before the women handed it over.

Another worker said: "We were too stunned to move and we were just waiting for the joke but he got more aggressive."

Once he had the money he ordered the woman into a back room to prevent them seeing his escape.

"He came right over to us and held it at us, we were so shocked the world was in slow motion," said the third worker.

The women waited a couple of minutes to make sure he was gone before opening the door.

No customers were in the shop at the time.

The garage was closed until Sunday morning while police carried out an investigation of the scene.

Stuart Holden, the manager of the garage, and Crimestoppers have put up cash rewards for information to catch the man, who police said, left his victims traumatised.

Stuart is also the manager of Livesey Service Station, Livesey Branch Road where a female worker has quit through fear since the robbery.

He said: "It's your worst nightmare, I was shocked when I heard. We've never had anything like this since we took over 18 months ago.

"We need to catch this man and that's why I am offering the reward."

The garage CCTV captured the robber on film. He is described as white, about 40 years old, with a Scottish accent, 6ft tall and slim with a broad chest.

He was wearing a peaked cap, a navy anorak and a navy checked scarf covering his mouth and nose.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Blackburn CID on 01254 353569.