AN ARMED robber has targeted two off- licences in Blackburn for the second time in a week.

Police said the hooded raider made off with cash from Booze Buster in Wendsley Road and Bargain Booze in Livesey Branch Road last night.

Both shops were the victims of similar raids last week and police believe the same man is responsible.

Detective Sergeant Paul Ryan said: "These incidents have left the shop assistants and witnesses very frightened.

"The offender has been described as carrying a firearm and these are offences that we are taking very seriously."

He said that the first robbery, at Booze Buster, happened at 2.30pm. As in the previous raids an assistant was threatened with a "firearm" before the raider made off with cash.

Then, just four hours later, at 7.30pm, Bargain Booze was the scene of a similar robbery. One resident, a 39-year-old mum of four, who lives on Livesey Branch Road near Bargain Booze, said: "It is really scary that people are being threatened with guns. Everyone is fed up with the problems and something needs to be done."

It was only last Thursday when Bargain Booze was last targeted by an armed robber, striking at the same time of 7.30pm. Two days earlier Booze Buster was robbed.

DS Ryan added: "We are linking these latest two incidents to the two robberies last week. The circumstances surrounding these four robberies are very similar. I would urge anyone with any information about the offences to call us."

There have been a string of armed robberies across the area in the last few weeks.

On May 14 the McDonald's restaurant near junction four of the M65 was robbed by an armed raider and the following day a similar offence took place at the McDonald's in Rising Bridge.

There have also been raids at Victoria Wine, Redlam, in March and at Coral bookmakers, Dyson Street, in April as well as at Nutters Restaurant in Edenfield on May 13.

Anyone with information should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 353569 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.