A ROBBER brandishing a knife threatened staff in Co-op Late Shop before stealing cash from the till.

The man walked into the store in Blackburn Road, Hollins Grove, Darwen, shortly before 8.30pm on Saturday.

The manager, a male assistant and a male customer were in at the time. They were left shaken but unhurt by the incident. All three were forced to move out of the way as the offenders grabbed the cash before running off in the direction of Darwen town centre.

Police are hunting the man who is white, aged 30 to 35, 5ft 9inches tall, unshaven, with a scruffy appearance. He was wearing a baseball cap, dark coloured trousers and top and spoke with a local accent.

It is the second time the raiders have struck at the store in the past three years. Shopkeeper Lee Turaq, was hit on the head with a blunt instrument when two thieves forced their way into the premises and took cash and other items in April 1997.

Anybody with information is asked to ring Darwen CID on 01254 701777.

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