AN AMAZED shop keeper today told how a polite robber apologised for raiding her store before sticking a gun in her ribs and handcuffing her.

Barbara Irwin said the crook said sorry repeatedly during the attack on the Greenhill sub post office, grocers and off-licence in Rochdale Road, Bacup, and described him as "a most polite young man.''

And she described how he even asked if he could use the front door and how she told him off for trying to empty a bag of rubbish

Mrs Irwin said: "Even when he stuck a gun in my ribs he was so polite I didn't feel frightened. I felt a bit intimidated but there was no maliciousness about him.'' It was half day closing and Mrs Irwin had just returned from the cash and carry when the attack happened at 3.50pm yesterday.

She said: "When I went into the shop he was bent down behind the chocolate stand fiddling with a carrier bag. He pulled out a dull, black handgun and stuck it in my ribs.

"I thought it was a joke, it seemed so unreal.''

The robber took Mrs Irwin into the living quarters and put handcuffs around her wrist. She said: "He was looking for somewhere to fasten the other end and I asked him if he had thought about the fridge. He thanked me and fastened me to the fridge.

"At one time he was going to empty a bin bag of rubbish. I was angry and told him not to empty it on the floor. He said sorry and put it down.'' He then found a yellow bag containing about £300 which he stole along with about £400 worth of cigarettes just bought at the cash and carry.

He left the key to the handcuffs on the floor and asked if it was all right to use the front door then made off towards Rockcliffe Road.

Mrs Irwin has a wired haired fox terrier, Saxon, but she said: "He barks at everyone but for some reason he took no notice of this man and just walked off down the road.''

Mrs Irwin has been at the shop for nine years but is planning to move to Cornwall.

The attacker was white, in his early 20s, 5ft 6ins, slim, clean shaven and slightly tanned.

He has dark hair and dark brown eyes and a soft Irish accent.

He was wearing glasses, a baseball cap, tracksuit bottoms, training shoes and a dark coloured jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rossendale CID on 01706 215242.

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