THIS is the terrifying moment two balaclava-clad robbers stormed a convenience store armed with a sledgehammer and a crowbar.

Two men dressed in black forced their way into the Londis shop in Rosegrove Lane, Burnley, at 10.30am yesterday.

Staff and customers froze in fear as the men ran towards a cash machine inside the shop, which was being filled by Loomis security guards.

Detectives said the men threatened and attacked a security guard, who managed to disarm the thief carrying the crowbar.

CCTV footage shows the robbers being driven out of the shop by ‘heroic’ guards and chased down the street.

Officers said the men ran from the shop without any loot and got into a blue Peugeot car driven by a third man Shop owner Amir Khan said he could not believe his eyes. He said: “The men just came in out of nowhere and headed straight for the cash machine.

“The security staff turned around and started driving them out of the shop. They were very heroic, they are heroes in my book.

“The guards were incredibly brave and were very professional.

“It was hard to describe what was going through my mind because it happened so fast.”

Police cordoned off the junction of Rosegrove Lane and Gannow Lane for around two hours while crime investigation officers searched for clues.

Staff bravely reopened the shop around 12.15pm.

Susan Raeburn, owner of Susan’s Diner, a few doors down from the shop, said she saw the men jump out of a car.

She said: “I was stood outside and saw two men carrying what looked like a sledgehammer and a crowbar.

“My first thoughts were of my customers’ safety and I gathered everyone who was stood nearby into my shop and locked the door. It was absolutely terrifying. I was shaking so much. We had some very shaken-up customers but I was so relieved everyone was safe.”

Caroline Stonehouse, owner of Real Beauty in Rosegrove Lane, said: “We heard banging and wondered what on earth was going on. I saw a man with a sledgehammer and a man with a crowbar.

“It was worrying.”

Passers-by described the incident as ‘surreal’.

Neighbourhood watch member Christopher Nield said: “We saw the police cars come round and saw all the lights flashing.

“It was rather scary. This sort of thing never happens around here.”

A Loomis spokesman said: “Despite this regrettable incident taking place we are pleased our guards came out of it safely.”

A police spokesman said: “Three men have been located and arrested.

“The men, aged 20, 25 and 26, from Manchester are currently in police custody on suspicion of robbery and theft of a motor vehicle.

“The 26-year-old is also being held on suspicion of a drugs possession offence.”