THE owner of an off-licence store was coshed over the head after he refused to hand over cash to armed robbers.

David Wilde, the proprietor of Liquor Store in Railway Street, Nelson, was attacked after he stood up to the two raiders, who were armed with what is believed to be a handgun and a cosh. They then ran away empty-handed.

Mr Wilde was hit over the head and had to be treated at Burnley General Hospital where he received stitches to the wound. Detectives were due to interview him today.

The drama happened at 10.35pm last night when two Asian youths walked into the store and demanded cash.

Detective Inspector Clive Tattum, head of Pendle CID, who is leading the hunt for the robbers said: "Mr Wilde refused to hand over any money and he was hit over the head with some sort of cosh. The two men have then run away and not taken any money. It's worrying that it's not the first offence over recent weeks where we believe firearms have been involved in incidents. We need to get these firearms off the streets and catch the offenders involved.

"Any help from the public would be appreciated. We would like to hear from anyone who knows about this incident or who have seen something suspicious around this time. They can contact CID on Colne 863161."

The robbers are described as both Asian men, aged between their late teens or early 20s, and wearing black clothing. The one armed with the gun is around 6ft 2ins tall. The other man was carrying the cosh.

The raid follows other robberies in the town in recent weeks, at Stephenson's wine merchants and Hollin Bank Service Station, both in Manchester Road.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.