A TERRIFIED mother-of-five was today recovering from shock after thugs fired a shotgun through her front door at point-blank range.

The 27-year-old woman was sleeping with two of her children in her bed upstairs when she was woken by a knock on the door.

Then, as she got to the top of the stairs to investigate, a single shotgun blast shook her home, shattering a glass inner door and peppering the lobby with pellets.

The attack happened at around 3 am today at the house in Alexandra Road in the Duckworth Street area of Darwen. Armed police officers wearing bullet-proof vests later arrived on the scene searching for two white males seen driving off in a car.

The woman, who has asked not to be named, said: "I pulled my jeans on and by the time I got to the top of the stairs a bullet came through the door - I could smell the smoke afterwards. "The police later told me it had been a shotgun placed close to the door as it blew a round hole in it. "I haven't got a clue why it happened, unless it's something to do with someone who lived here before." The woman sought the help of a neighbour and comforted her children, aged from 10 to a one-year-old baby.

Inspector Joe Kellett, of Blackburn Police, today appealed for any information about the attack.

He said: "Two white males approached the front door and discharged what we believe to be a shotgun.

"At this stage there is no apparent motive for the shooting. The two men ran off and were then heard to drive off in a vehicle."

Police believe their get away car was parked on nearby Alexandra View and was seen driving off at high speed.

Both men were described as around 5ft 8ins tall, average build. One had very short dark hair and was wearing a light coloured track suit. The other had longer dark hair.

Police were today conducting house-to-house inquiries in the area.

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