RAIDERS stripped a designer clothes store in minutes, escaping with more than £45,000 worth of goods.

Workshop on Clifton Street, Lytham, which has been open just ten weeks, is the site of the former Wild Child store which suffered two similar raids some years ago before closing down.

The balaclava-clad pair hit Workshop on Clifton Street, Lytham, just after 11pm on Tuesday, using a sledgehammer or baseball bat and paving stones to smash the shop door window.

Police were on the scene within minutes - despite the fact that tyres of cars in the police compound had been slashed in a futile attempt to prevent them from responding to the alarm call.

But they failed to trace the dark Ford Sierra the raiders are believed to have been driving.

Devastated owners Marjorie Hiles and Diane Despard are now working to rebuild the fledgling business.

Mrs Hiles said: "They have totally cleaned us out. But because business has been booming, our suppliers have promised to get new stock for us as soon as possible and we will be up and running again by the weekend."

Police are today investigating possible connections with other similar offences in the Fylde.

DC Sam Thompson of St Annes CID said: "The thieves were in and out of the shop within minutes.

"There is a possible connection between this and raids on similar stores."

The clothing stolen included Armani, DKNY, Paul Smith, Oilly and Diesel.

Anyone who can help should phone police on (01253) 745619.

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