A YOUNG shop assistant screamed in terror when a youth pointed a gun at her.

Salma Mulla, 19, was serving in her father's grocery store in Norman Street, Blackburn, when the chubby-faced teenager walked in and produced the weapon.

Panicked by Salma's screams, he fled from the corner shop without making any demands.

Sergeant Richard Cox of Blackburn Police said: "The young woman was very shaken by the experience and obviously we are very concerned that somebody is walking about with a hand gun, whether it is real or not.

"We would appeal to anybody with information about this crime to contact us immediately."

The incident happened at 1.30pm on Saturday. The youth is described as white, about 16-years-old with a chubby face and pale complexion.

He was wearing a black jacket, a Blackburn Rovers scarf over part of his face and a black woolly hat with yellow squares on the front.

Anyone who can help should ring Blackburn Police on 51212.

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