POLICE hunting robbers who stole money from security guards filling a cash machine in Burnley are appealing for people in Colne for help.

The raid took place as the guards from Securicor were filling the machine at 10.10pm on Tuesday at the new Spar Shop, Padiham Road, Burnley, which was formerly Fairways Mitsubishi garage.

Two masked men threatened the two guards and stole three cassette boxes of cash about to be fitted into the machine. It is believed they got away with tens of thousands of pounds.

The men made off down Middlesex Avenue and it is believed they got into a vehicle, but police are still appealing for the public's help to find out what vehicle they left the area in.

The cassette boxes were recovered a short time later in New Street, Colne.

Det Sgt Pete Simm said: "We are pleased with the response from the public so far but we now want people to contact us if they saw suspicious behaviour in either Burnley or Colne.

"They may have seen someone running away from the New Street area. Any information will be treated in the strictest confidence."

There is a £5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. One robber is described as wearing a sage green balaclava, 6ft and possible wearing grey trousers and white trainers. The second man was also masked, but there is no description of him.

They did not go into the Spar shop, but may have been watching the store prior to the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Burnley CID on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.