A MAN who threatened staff in a shop with a knife during an armed robbery is being hunted by police.

The man, wearing gloves, a jacket over his head and a balaclava, burst into the Spar shop, in Manchester Road, Burnley, at around 9.30pm on Saturday.

He ordered two female workers to hand over the contents of the till, which amounted to £85, before fleeing the shop.

It is the second time the store has been raided in the space of seven months.

Donald Wells, who runs the sh-op, said: “The two members of staff were shocked but they seemed to have coped with it quite well, which is a relief.

“It looks like the man has been waiting further up Manchester Road, watching the shop until all customers have gone.

“He only got away with £85 as we are careful not to leave too much money in the till having been done before. It’s madness really, it’s armed robbery and you are looking at a prison sentence all for £85. It’s not worth it. Hopefully police can catch him as anybody who can do this kind of thing is clearly dangerous, and could do it again.”

On November 5 last year hundreds of pounds were stolen from the convenience store in Rosehill, with two members of staff also threatened with a knife.

On that occasion police said they believed the man had waited for almost two hours outside the store before the attack.

Mr Wells, 60, has run the Manchester Road store for 10 years with Linda, 62. He said: “Although he only got away with £85 it is a lot of inconvenience and stress for people. Me and my wife were at home asleep when staff called us to tell us what had happened. We didn’t get home until 2am and then had to be up at 5.30am to open up today (Sunday).

“Staff had to give statements to police and were shook up by what happened. There were four police officers here and the police helicopter was up, so it all costs a lot of money.”

Detective Insp Nick Hodgeson, of East CID, said: “This must have been a terrifying experience for these members of staff and I would appeal for anyone with any information or who knows who this man may be to get in touch with the police.”