A SHOP assistant was threatened with a six-inch hunting knife in a robbery yesterday afternoon.

Police said two men burst into Bargain Booze in Whalley Road, Accrington, at around 5.25pm.

Detectives said the pair brandished the knife and demanded the young shop assistant open the till.

They then stole some cash before running out of the shop and were last seen in Orange Street.

Detective Sergeant Paul Langley, who is leading the investigation, said the young shop assistant was ‘extremely frightened’ during the ordeal.

No-one else had been in the shop at the time.

Officers are reviewing CCTV footage for clues.

DS Langley, from Accrington CID, said: “He was extremely frightened and was fearful about what would happen if he hadn’t opened the till.

“This was a very traumatic incident and I would appeal for anyone with information about these dangerous individuals and to anyone who saw anything suspicious or any suspicious vehicles in the area to contact police.”

The man who was carrying the knife is described as white, 6ft tall and slender.

He is aged between 25 and 30 and was wearing a black hooded rain jacket, black or dark tracksuit bottoms and dark trainers.

The second man is described as white, around 5ft6in tall and skinny.

He was in his early 20s, had short dark brown hair and was wearing a rasta type hat, a light grey tracksuit top with black stripes on the arm and light grey tracksuit bottoms.

He spoke with a local accent.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.