MASKED raiders armed with a crossbow tied up a Cricket club steward and stole cash from the club's safe.

The steward had been putting the day's taking in the safe at Rishton Cricket Club when confronted in the building by two raiders wearing balaclavas at 12.50am on Sunday.

Mr Ian Stephenson, who had only stepped in as steward for the night, was threatened and forced to lie face down on the floor while the robbers took £3,500 from the safe.

The robbers, one of whom had a crossbow, told the 42-year-old he would not get hurt if he did not move.

Mr Stephenson, who regularly works in the club's bar, was then tied up with adhesive tape before the raiders fled the building in Highfield Road. Mr Stephenson, a mechanic at Hoyle and Dean Haulage Contractors, Accrington, said: "They taped my arms and legs behind my back. They told me to stay put for two minutes, but after about a minute I freed my arms and pushed the panic button.

"At first I could believe it was happening and then I was waiting to be hit. I didn't know what to expect."

Armed police attended the scene but were not needed.

The men were described as white and in their mid 20s. One was believed to have a slight Liverpudlian accent. The raider with the crossbow was wearing blue trousers and brown moccasins.

Police are keen to find out if the raiders used a vehicle to leave the scene.

Club president Mr Eric Whalley said £3,500 in takings and other money had been taken in the raid.

Anyone with information about the raid should contact Great Harwood CID on 01254 884800.

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