A PLUCKY teenage shop assistant today told how she defied a knife-wielding robber to save her boss's takings.

Brave Claire Kennedy,17, refused to hand over any cash to a masked raider who stormed into Blackamoor Stores, Roman Road, waving a knife and demanding money.

Shop owner Richard Murphy and a male shopper challenged the robber and chased him down Blackamoor Road, but didn't manage to stop him escaping.

Claire said: "When he pulled out the knife, I thought it was a joke, but then he started shouting 'give me the money,' but I told him that I couldn't open the till without the boss's permission.

"There was no way I was going to let him have the money."

Richard Murphy, owner of the shop, said: "Claire was very brave and did exactly what I hoped she would. I work hard for my money and there is no way we were going to let him get away with it.

"Some of these youngsters today don't want to work, and end up taking drugs. I work too hard to let them just take my money. This is the fourth time my business has been raided but they've only managed to get something once - the first time it happened."

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the raider running away from the shop at about 8.20pm on Thursday.

Shop staff believe the raider had been in the store earlier in the evening. He is described as white, aged 19-20, 5ft 8in, with dark brown hair. He was wearing jeans, a red jacket, red jumper with a brown scarf tied around his face. Anyone with information should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 51212.

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