THIS is the moment armed robbers stormed a convenience store with a handgun and sword.

CCTV shows two men calmly walk into the Spar shop in Oswaldtwistle with scarves covering their faces before brandishing the weapons.

A third man stayed at the door of the Thwaites Road store to keep watch.

Detectives said the thieves threatened staff before jumping over the counter and emptying two tills of around £300 cash and taking cigarettes.

The gang then left in an old-style beige Audi A3, which was later found burnt out by firefighters in Clarendon Street, Accrington, at around 1am yesterday.

Officers said the two shop employees were unharmed but had been left 'extremely shaken'.

Community leaders described the incident on Tuesday at 8.40pm as 'disturbing' as the store opened for business yesterday.

The robbers were described as having Liverpudlian accents and in their early 20s.

Det Sgt Darren Irving, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are keen to trace the three men pictured in the CCTV images.

"If anyone recognises them or has any information that could assist with our inquiries then I would urge them to get in touch with us.

“We are also still keen to hear from anyone who may have any information about the beige Audi A3, which is believed to have been the vehicle used by the offenders to leave the scene.

“We would like to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to find those responsible and in the meantime will have increased patrols in the area.”

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who represents Oswaldtwistle on Hyndburn Council, said: "This is a shocking incident.

"It's disturbing to know we've got these kind of criminals lurking around the area who would do such a thing.

"I share the concerns of residents about this sort of thing happening in the area.

"There are cameras around that area so I just hope the criminals are caught and brought to task.

"It must have been very disturbing for the shop workers, they must have been left awfully shaken."

Richard Hilliard, owner of neighbouring Tricky's pub, said: "I came down about 10pm and saw police cars and thought something must be up.

"The police were there for some time, they must have left about 12.50am.

"It's not want you want to see in the area at all.

"It's normally a pretty quiet place, we've had one or two robberies but that's it.

"It was a big shock, it's sad to hear."

A Thwaites Road resident, who used to work at the Spar shop, said: "I've never known the shop to have any problems, it never did when I was there.

"It's just a nice little village shop.

"It's very popular, it gets so busy.

"I cant believe what happened, I just hope everyone is OK."

Neighbour Adele Procter, 48, said: "It scared me when I realised what they had been carrying.

"I often go there during the day, it's a scary thought."

Another resident said: "Unfortunately this sort of thing is happening all the time.

"It's bit frightening to hear it's going on in your street.

"It's a peaceful little area really."

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting log number 1471 of August 8.