ARMED police have arrested two men in connection with a knife-robbery at a convenience store.

Armed officers raided a house in Malt Street, Accrington, at around 8pm on Wednesday and arrested one man inside the property and another in the rear yard.

A 31-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and a 35-year-old man from Accrington was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Both remained in custody last night.

The latest police action came just days after a man and woman were also arrested for their alleged roles in an armed robbery at the Rishton Mini Market at around 10am last Friday.

A 24-year-old man from Blackburn was arrested on suspicion of robbery, while a 38-year-old woman from Lostock Hall was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both have been released under investigation.

Police said they were called to the mini market in High Street after reports of an armed robbery.

A man is said to have entered the shop armed with a knife and threatened the shop keeper, before leaving with cash and cigarettes.

A number of roads were cordoned off by police and eyewitnesses reported seeing at least six police vehicles and the force’s dog unit.

A police spokesman said: “One man, aged 31, of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of robbery relating to the recent Rishton Mini Market robbery.

“A second man, aged 35, from Accrington, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both remain in custody.

“There were two previous arrests earlier this week involving a 38 year old woman from Lostock Hall being arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and a 24 year old man from Blackburn arrested on suspicion of robbery. Both have been released under investigation,”