A SHOP assistant told today how she prayed that she would not be hurt when she was followed into a Burnley shoe shop by a robber who put his hand over her mouth.

The thief who may have followed her from the Halifax branch in Manchester Road to Holts shoe shop in Keirby Walk escaped with £1,790.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack which happened at 9.30am yesterday to contact Burnley CID on 01282 425001.

The shop worker said: "I unlocked the shop door and went into a little side room to turn off the alarm.

"Someone followed me in, put his hand over my mouth and switched off the lights. He did not say anything but I was terrified and just prayed that he would not hurt me.

"He took the money and a Halifax Bank book from the bag and left. I waited a few minutes, went to lock the shop door and then just sat there for twenty minutes in shock. When a colleague arrived I just burst into tears.''

The assistant said: "What struck me about him was that he was wearing dark clothing and distinctive white trainers.'' The man was of stocky build.

Police are checking to see if he was caught on CCTV cameras.

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