DETECTIVES are hunting armed robbers who raided a convenience store with a hand gun and a sword.

Police said the men, who had their faces partially covered, threatened staff at the Spar shop in Oswaldtwistle, before jumping over the counter and emptying two tills of around £300 in cash and taking some cigarettes.

Police have released a CCTV image of a Audi A3 they believe could have been used as the getaway car from the armed robbery, which happened at the store in Thwaites Road at 8.40pm last night.

Nobody has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Police said the robbers are described as being aged in their early 20s and having Liverpudlian accents. They were both wearing neck coverings pulled over the lower halves of their faces.

The Audi is described as being a silver older-style model, with colour-coded wing mirrors and blacked-out rear windows.

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Detective Constable Angela Verity said: “These men have left the two staff members extremely shaken and we are determined to locate them.

“We would now like to hear from anyone with information about the incident, and in particular would like to trace the vehicle in the CCTV image which may have been used to help the offenders get away from the scene.

“If you recognise this car, or if you come across it, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“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 visible patrols in the area.”

The shop is open this morning.

Anybody with information should contact police on 101, quoting log number 1471 of today (August 8th).