A JEWELLER'S store owner today told of her horror when axe-wielding raiders smashed down her shop door and bundled her into a back room.

Mrs Carol Rich, of Arthur Barrie's jewellers of Rawtenstall immediately sounded a silent alarm to police - then screamed and screamed.

The two masked raiders immediately fled empty handed to a waiting car and made their getaway.

Mrs Rich who has owned he Queen's Square shop with her husband Barry for 25 years, today relived the "nightmare" ordeal and said: "I don't feel very brave - I just froze.

"I pushed the alarm as soon as the two men pushed me and a woman friend who was visiting me into the back room.

"They upturned two drawers and I screamed.

"My friend started screaming and the men ran away - I just don't know why."

Mrs Rich added: "This has never happened to us before and I don't want it to happen again. I was terrified and I am still shaken."

A motorist chased the robbers' black Subaru car but lost it in traffic.

The vehicle which was later found, was used in a jeweller's store raid in Preston earlier in the week.

Both men were 5ft8in to 5ft9in and slim, wearing jeans and trainers and carrying axes.

Det Inspector Colin Barton today appealed for witnesses to the attempted robbery which occurred at 2.15pm yesterday.

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