A SUPERMARKET worker was temporarily blinded and another was knocked to the ground when they were robbed as they tried to bank takings.

Two attackers used a painful spray when they struck outside Hoddlesden Insurance in The Circus, Darwen, near the post office at 11.50am on Saturday.

Two male and one female member of staff from Hanbury's Supermarket, in Church Street, Darwen, were taking a quantity of money from the store to the bank when they were approached by two men.

"It all happened very quickly," said Sergeant Steve Noon of Blackburn police. "One of the lads struck one male employee in the face and knocked him down and when the other went to help him he was sprayed in the face.

"We don't know what he was sprayed with but he couldn't see. The men took one of the bags of money and ran away."

Adam Fitzjohn, 26, was sprayed and received treatment to his eyes at Blackburn Infirmary. The other male employee was Peter Keen, 20.

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen the men near The Circus at lunchtime on Saturday. One is believed to be 5ft 11in tall, of medium to good build, with blond hair. The other was 5ft 7in. Both are white, in their mid 20s and wearing jeans.

Anyone who knows anything about the incident should contact Darwen police on 01254 701777.

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