A TERRIFIED shopkeeper was forced to hand over cash to two thugs when one of them threatened her with a hammer.

The robbery happened at 9.30pm at Booze Buster off-licence, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, when the two men, described by police as white and between the ages of 20 and 24, burst into the shop and showed the hammer to her.

One man was 5ft 6in tall, wearing a coloured fleece and had short dark hair and was stocky.

The second was 6ft tall, and was wearing a white polo shirt with a blue horizontal band across the chest and a baseball cap.

PC Ian Procter said the police would like to know more about four men who were seen in what was thought to be a four wheel pickup and were acting suspiciously on Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, half an hour before the robbery.

PC Procter said: "The victim was very shaken up and we would like to talk to anybody who saw four men on Union Road and also anybody who was in the vicinity of Booze Busters on Monday evening."

A spokesman for Booze Busters said: "The incident was recorded on CCTV and we are liaising with the police over the matter.

"Our priority now is the welfare of the member of staff."

Anybody who saw two men acting suspiciously should call Great Harwood police on 01254 353341.