AN armed robber told staff to "have a nice day" after pointing a gun at an insurance clerk during a terrifying raid on a building society agency in Haslingden.

Two robbers, both wearing baseball caps and sunglasses, struck at Steven Barton Financial Services, in Manchester Road, at 11.15am yesterday.

Claire Smith, 25, who was forced to hand over £2,500 from the safe at gunpoint, was today too distressed to talk about her ordeal.

Colleague Vikki Taylor, 26, said: "After it was over she just burst into tears shaking.

"When the one with the gun was leaving Claire heard him say 'have a nice day'."

A third colleague, insurance clerk Pauline Kennedy, 40, was upstairs, and Vikki's father, Steve Barton, who owns the business, was out of the office seeing clients.

Police said one robber went behind the counter and produced what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun from a plastic bag. Vikki said: "He pointed the gun at Claire and told her to give him the money. She opened the safe, took the tin out and gave it to him."

Vikki, who dialled 999 as the raiders left, added: "I wasn't frightened at the time. Claire was so upset I had to be calm and give descriptions to the police. It did not hit me until last night."

Both robbers were white, in their early to mid 20s, and about 5ft 7in or 5ft 8in tall.

One was of thin build with a long slim face, a pale complexion, and was wearing a cream or beige baseball cap and appeared to have brown hair.

He was wearing a red check lumberjack shirt, with a light coloured T-shirt underneath, and blue jeans.

The other robber who was also slim, but slightly bigger, appeared to have dark hair under his baseball cap and was wearing a bleached denim shirt.

Anyone who witnessed the robbery or has any information is asked to contact Rawtenstall police station on 01706 215242.

Previous news story

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