A FEMALE shop assistant was threatened in a knifepoint robbery on a pharmacy in Burnley.

Police said the woman was terrified when the raider pushed a penknife into her back during the raid at Cohens Pharmacy, Padiham Road, at 4.40pm yesterday. She was also spat at a number of times by the raider.

Detective Sergeant Peter Sim said: "He demanded temazepam and valium and he was still brandishing the knife and spitting at her. She was absolutely frightened to death."

The attacker held out a small orange plastic carrier bag for her to put the drugs into before forcing her into the front of the shop and escaping via Park Road.

Detective Constable Mark Goodchild said the other two women in the shop, one of whom was pregnant, were also badly shaken.

It is thought the raider may have stolen the drugs to sell to other addicts.

He is described as white, 25 years, six feet and slim. He has a gaunt face and grey or ashen complexion and has a small thin moustache and short dark hair. He was wearing a red baseball cap, blue tracksuit with thin white stripes and diamonds down the sleeves, white trainers.

He was seen hanging around outside the shop near to the Tim Bobbin pub for about 40 minutes before the attack.

DC Goodchild said: "He spoke with a local accent and we think he may well live locally. It is a very busy road and someone may well recognise him."

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