A STAFF member at a Rossendale petrol station was punched in the face when armed raiders escaped with cash from the till.

Two men went into the Spar shop at the Shell garage in Burnley Road, Rawtenstall wearing balaclavas and brandishing knives.

They jumped over the counter, where they threatened a member of staff, who one of the men then punched in the face.

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The pair grabbed around £80 of notes from the till, before running off towards Rawtenstall town centre.

The incident happened at around 9.50pm on Monday at Holmefield Shell Garage.

The member of staff received ‘minor’ injuries.

DS Tom Edmondson from Burnley CID said: “This was very distressing for the victim who was simply at work doing his job and for other customers who were also in the shop at the time.

“I urge any witnesses or indeed anyone who has information about this incident to come forward.”

Earlier this month Mr C’s Petrol Station in Helmshore Road, Haslingden was targeted in a knifepoint robbery.

A man entered the garage on the evening of Sunday, December 14 clutching a knife and threatened a staff member before escaping with £130 from the till.

Rossendale MP Jake Berry said: “To have two violent robberies like this in a short period is a worry for everyone who lives here.

“We may be being targeted, but I’m sure East Lancashire police will make sure that catching the perpetrators is a top priority.

“Anyone who witnessed this should come forward with information so these criminals can be locked up as soon as possible.”

Police have released descriptions of the two robbers involved in Monday’s incident.

One was white, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 9ins, and of medium build. He was wearing a grey tracksuit made of sweatshirt-type material and grey pumps.

The second man was also white, slimmer, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 9ins and was wearing a black hoodie, black trousers, and dark shoes.

Two men, both aged 21, from Rawtenstall and Baxenden, have been arrested in connection with Monday’s incident and were in police custody yesterday.

Anyone with information can contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting incident reference 1349 of December 22 2014.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or make a report online at Crimestoppers-uk.org No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.