THE owner of a Chinese takeaway was threatened with a broken bottle and punched in the face in a late night attack.

The woman was hit when she stood between one of the men and the till at the New World takeaway, Colne Road, Duke Bar, Burnley.

Two men with black scarves over the bottom of their faces walked in at about 11.35pm on Saturday and demanded money.

One of the men was carrying a bottle, which he smashed on the counter.

The other robber climbed over the counter and again asked for money.

When the 36-year-old woman put herself between him and the till she was punched in the face.

Both men then ran off empty-handed.

Det Sgt Steve Mounsey said: "When she tried to stop him getting to the till she was punched in the face.

"It was a particularly nasty attack. The woman did not need hospital treatment but she has a sore face and was badly shaken up by the incident."

The man with the bottle is described as white, 17 to 22 years old, 5ft 3ins tall and slim. he was wearing a white tracksuit top with three dark stripes down the sleeves, a white woollen bob hat with a motif at the front, blues denim jeans and trainers.

The other offender is aged 22 to 23, of medium build and taller than his accomplice. One man was questioned by police on Sunday and released pending further inquiries.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Burnley CID on 01282 425001.

Det Sgt Tony Ronan said: "A group of about three or five people were outside the premises at the time and we are asking them to come forward."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.