WORKERS have told of their shock after the second armed robbery at a bank in less than a year.

Two men brandishing a baseball bat and a chainsaw stole cassettes containing cash after threatening security guards delivering to the Santander in Castle Street, Clitheroe, late on Thursday.

That followed a similar attack on the same bank last November, when a pair wearing balaclavas threatened security guards with a sledgehammer and a metal bar, taking a 'substantial' quantity of money.

Police said of the latest raid: "We were called at around 11pm last night (Thursday) to reports of an armed robbery at the Santander in Clitheroe.

"It is believed two men, armed with a baseball bat and a chainsaw, have entered the bank as security staff have been delivering cash.

"They have made threats before making off with cassettes containing cash. Fortunately nobody was injured.

"No arrests have been made as yet and our inquiries are now ongoing to establish exactly what occurred.

"We would ask anybody with information about the incident to contact us on 101, quoting log number 1586 of October 5."

Staff arriving for work on Friday waited outside the roped-off branch as police examined the scene. The bank traded as normal from about midday. Staff declined to comment.

Gill Grundy, manager of House of Cards, which is opposite the bank, said she believes more police are needed.

She said: "In a small town like this it's quite shocking. It is not something I can remember happening twice before.

"There is no visual evidence, no sign of a break-in. Last year the door was smashed in."

A staff members at the Mortimer estate agency said: "It's very concerning."

Tony Hardwick, manager of the Rieker shoe shop, also opposite, said: "I would not say it's a problem. Clitheroe seems to be quite a laid-back town and we are very happy we opened here.

"It's just the Santander that seems to be targeted."

A member of staff at a nearby business said she immediately remembered last year's attack, adding: "It's uncanny - just the same time of year."