DETECTIVES have released dramatic footage of a sword-wielding armed robber who held up bookmakers’ staff in the shadow of Burnley’s Turf Moor ground.

In a rare move, Lancashire Police have released CCTV film on YouTube of the moments when an intruder burst into the Coral branch in Harry Potts Way, waving the two-foot blade and forcing counter staff to flee in terror.

The balaclava-clad raider can be seen vaulting the counter and repeatedly brandishing the weapon, banging it on the counter as he demanded the day’s takings.

Investigators from Burnley CID had reached a dead end after initially issuing a public appeal over the robbery .

Police hope releasing the footage of the raid will jog people’s memories of the incident, which saw the man flee with up to £200 from the bookies’ till.

Det Con Dave Greenwood said: “This was a violent and aggressive attack which left two members of staff terrified and fearful for their own safety.

“It has been some time since the initial incident but we remain determined to identify the man responsible and hope that someone who views the footage may hold important information about his identity.”

The masked man arrived at the shop at around 8.45pm, armed with the sword and approached the counter to demand money from staff.

He struck a computer screen with the blade and knocked over a number of displays. After he grabbed the money he is thought to have fled towards Holcombe Drive.

Police say he was white, around 5ft 10in tall, slim, and spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a grey tracksuit top with a logo on the top of the hood and dark tracksuit bottoms at the time.

Mr Greenwood said that anyone with information about the raid on July 21, should contact him on 01282 472524 or on the police non-emergency number, 101 quoting reference LC-20140721-1516.

Potential witnesses can also call Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.