TWO MASKED men armed with a shotgun held up a Fylde country pub on Sunday night.

The men, wearing white masks and brandishing a shotgun and a knife, entered the Derby Arms at Treales, near Kirkham at around 11pm just as staff were clearing up.

They threatened staff and customers and forced them to lie down before taking a member of staff hostage and taking them into the licensee's accommodation.

There they forced the landlord to open a safe and hand over a substantial amount of cash. The robbers then escaped in a white saloon car, heading in the direction of Newton.

Scene of crime officers were at the pub on Monday searching for clues inside the building. The area outside was cordoned off and guarded by officers until it too could be checked.

The raiders are thought to have escaped with around five thousand pounds.

The robber holding the shotgun was described as about six feet tall, thin, with one or two gold front teeth and wearing dark clothing. The other man was slightly smaller, stocky and also wore dark clothes.

Officers investigating the robbery are asking anyone who was around the Derby Arms between 10.30pm and 11.15pm on Sunday or who may have passed the car on Spen Lane between about 10.30pm and 11pm to get in touch by phoning Blackpool Police on 293933 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.