THE owners of an off-licence today told how they beat off a robber who threatened them with a knife.

Keith and Jane Crossley, both 50, declared it was "business as usual" following the attempted raid on Booze Box, Hill Street, Padiham, on Saturday night.

The couple were in the shop they have run for two years when the masked raider burst in and pulled a knife.

The offender then demanded cash and when the pair refused he ran around the counter before lunging at Mr Crossley.

Mr Crossley said: "He came in and pulled a knife and said open the till' so we refused. He came round the counter and came at me with the knife.

"I was just thinking about defending myself so I fended him off with a chair and he ran off."

Mrs Crossley, who said the shop was targeted by a robber last year when other staff were working, added the culprit, who was shielding his face with a black scarf and baseball cap, ran off up Hapton Road.

She said: "We have got CCTV so we got him on that and we have given it to the police."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at 10pm.

Det Insp Derek Jones said: "The offender threatened the proprietors and a struggle ensued before he ran off empty-handed. This was a nasty incident which could have been worse.

"Although the couple were shaken by what happened, fortunately they were not injured."

The offender is described as white and in his 20s.

He was wearing a light three-quarter length coat and a baseball cap.

Anybody with information about the incident should contact Burnley CID on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.