AN ARMED gang attacked a jeweller with a hammer before sparking a 30-mile police chase from Blackburn to West Yorkshire.

Five men were arrested following the pursuit which ended with the suspected getaway car crashing into another vehicle.

Police said three men were let into Rahman Jewellers yesterday after posing as customers.

They then put on balaclavas and masks and produced a hammer and knives before demanding the owner hand over his stock.

The gang hit the man to the head, stole an unknown quantity of jewellery and fled in a black Audi getaway car, thought to have been driven by another member of the gang.

Police later found the car abandoned at the rear of Goldhey Street, near Beechwood Working Men’s Club.

The men allegedly drove off in a Fiat Punto, which was followed by Blackburn police officers using patrol cars and the police helicopter.

The pursuit was then picked up by West Yorkshire Police when the car crossed the county border.

Police said the Fiat was involved in a collision with another car in a village near Halifax. The five occupants tried to flee on foot but were caught and arrested.

The owner was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital, where he is being treated for a suspected broken nose.

His wife, who had been with him in the shop at the time, was unharmed but shaken. No customers were present at the time.

Shopkeepers close to the scene of the robbery, which occurred at 1.45pm, said they were shocked about what had happened.

A worker at Malik Travel Services, opposite the jewellers, said: "It was just before 2pm when we heard a loud noise and looked up to see a black Audi speeding off down Brookhouse Lane."

It is thought an unsuccessful attempt was made to torch the Audi using petrol.

Fire crew were called to the scene at 2.20pm and found that the interior of the car had suffered slight damage from the resulting smoke and flames.

Emma Whiteside, 27, of Goldhey Street, said: "We came back and the police had cordoned off the area and the car was dumped with its headlights still on.

"It didn't look like it was burnt at all and I think they ran off from it."

The men - who are aged between 17 and 28 and are not from Lancashire - are currently being held at Blackburn police station.

Detective Inspector Andy Hulme, Blackburn Police, said: "Although we have arrested five men we still need any witnesses to come forward as them may have vital information that will help us piece together what happened."

Anyone with information should contact Blackburn Police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.