SHOPPERS watched in horror as a woman brandished a knife and threatened to cut her own throat.

An ambulance crew was called to Colne Post Office in Albert Road after passers-by raised the alarm.

The woman, who police have not named, stood on the busy pavement outside the post office and began shouting and threatening to kill herself.

The paramedics called for police back-up and officers persuaded the woman, who is in her 30s and lives in the Colne area, to hand over the weapon.

She was taken to Burnley General Hospital for psychiatric treatment.

Inspector Jeff Brown said: "We were contacted by the ambulance crew saying that a lady with a knife was threatening to kill herself.

"The officers talked to her and managed to calm her down and she handed over the knife. I believe it was a kitchen knife."

"The woman herself wasn't hurt and neither was anyone else."

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