DESIGNER watches worth between £70,000 and £100,000 worth were stolen during a robbery, it has been revealed.

The attack happened at Humberstones Jewellers, in King William Street, Blackburn, when two men, one of which was carrying what was understood to be a black hand gun, stormed into the shop.

One of the robbers smashed display cabinets with hammers, while the other threatened workers with the weapon.

They grabbed the high-value Rolex watches from the front window before running off in different directions.

The display contained a range of men’s time pieces, each costing between £3,990 and £7,990.

Police said no shots were fired. It is understood there were four people working in the shop at the time of the robbery, which happened at around 3pm on Friday.

The police helicopter was dispatched to search for the men as they fled the scene. Last night police said no arrests had yet been made. Det Insp Mark Vaughton, from Lancashire Police’s Eastern Division CID, said: “Fortunately, no-one was injured but understandably everyone involved has been left extremely shaken by what can only be described as a terrifying ordeal.”

The store was open for business again yesterday. Anybody with information should call police on 101 or 0800 555111.