POLICE investigating a string of armed robberies in Blackburn have arrested two men after a seventh raid.

A 43-year-old from Blackburn was arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of robbery following a raid at Victoria Wines, Redlam.

A 34-year-old local man has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and both were due to be questioned by today.

Police are now investigating links between the incident and six previous robberies in the town over the last few weeks.

Yesterday was the second time the shop had been robbed in similar circumstances in less than eight weeks.

Insp Graham Ashcroft said: "The store was targeted by a man brandishing a firearm who then made off with cash.

"Two female shop assistants were left shocked and scared by the incident, just after 2.30pm yesterday."

Extra officers had been drafted in by investigators in a bid to catch the robber.

In the six previous incidents, a lone gunman entered off licences across Blackburn before threatening staff and stealing cash and tobacco.

Before yesterday's robbery, there were raids on Sunday at Bargain Booze in Livesey Branch Road and Booze Buster in Wendsley Fold shops that had also been held up the previous week.

Police said they are still looking for witnesses to help them in their investigation.

The cash that was taken during yesterday's raid contained a device that emits red dye when tampered with and covers the money.