A GUNMAN escaped with £2,500 after holding up the manager of Ski Rossendale as she closed for the day.

The robber, wearing a balaclava mask, pointed what appeared to be a handgun at Paula Verstappen and demanded the takings.

She handed over the cash and the raider ran off.

The raid happened at 6.25pm yesterday at the Haslingden Old Road ski centre in Rawtenstall.

Detective Inspector Simon Leach said: "The manager was locking up and about to leave when she was approached by a masked man who came up to the counter.

"He pointed what appeared to be a hand gun at her and demanded the takings. She handed over around £2,500 in a clear polythene NatWest cash bag.

"The man, who was on his own, ran off. No vehicle was seen or heard. The manager was shaken but she was able to give us a full account of what had happened. We don't know whether the gun was real or imitation."

The raider was white, 5ft 10 to 11ins tall, with "piercing" blue eyes and muscular. He was in his 20s and spoke with a local accent.

He wore a black balaclava with eye holes but no mouth hole and a black sweatshirt.

Police made house-to-house inquiries in the area and distributed leaflets appealing for help from the public.

"If anyone was in the area between 6pm and 7pm and saw something that could help us we would like to hear from them," said Mr Leach.

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