THIS is the terrifying moment that a man opened fire on staff at a Blackburn takeaway.

Wayne Lammond’s actions forced workers at Chester’s Chicken and Pizza, Copy Nook, to dive for cover fearing for their lives.

Yesterday he was jailed for five years and four months after being convicted of attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

Police said the dangerous 24-year-old had left staff extremely frightened after firing pellets and demanding cash from the till during the incident.

Officers said Lammond travelled to Blackburn from his home in Ewloe, North Wales, in a bid to rob the takeaway.

DC Jenny Hammond, of Blackburn CID, said: “Lammond is a dangerous man who now faces a lengthy prison sentence as a result of his actions.

“Offences like this are extremely rare and the member of staff who was hit was left frightened by the ordeal.

“The dangers of carrying imitation firearms should not be underestimated.

“We work closely with our colleagues in other force areas and hope this case sends a strong and unified message to anyone who thinks they can travel into Lancashire to commit crime - ‘We will catch up with you and you will be punished’.”

Preston Crown Court heard that Lammond threw a plastic bag over the counter and demanded money from the shop assistant, a 32-year-old man, before firing pellets and making off empty handed.

The man suffered minor injuries and was left shaken by the ordeal.

Lammond was identified after his fingerprints were found on the carrier bag he had left behind at the takeaway during the incident in November 2008.

Following extensive inquiries by Blackburn CID working with Cheshire Police and North Wales Police, he was arrested in January in Ellesmere Port.

He was sentenced after pleading guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.