A POSTMASTER and his wife were threatened with weapons in a robbery yesterday.

The terrified couple were at Britannia Post Office, Rochdale Road, Bacup, at around noon when a man and a woman burst in, police said.

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Neighbours heard shouting inside the small post office, which also sells alcohol and groceries, before the robbers ran off empty-handed.

Detectives have launched an investigation into the incident, and have appealed for help.

Det Insp Martin Melvin said: “This was a terrifying incident for both the postmaster and his wife. Enquiries are on-going, including looking through CCTV in the area and we are trying to trace the pair involved.

“If you have information about this incident at all, please get in contact with us as soon as possible.”

The post office was taped off yesterday as officers searched inside for clues.

However, there was no sign of a police presence by 3.15pm, as parents and children from Britannia Community Primary School, also in Rochdale Road, wandered past.

But the post office was closed, as were several neighbouring businesses.

A worker at Moore’s Mini Market said it was the first time in 20 years an incident like this had happened.

And William Green, 72, who has lived nearby all his life, said: “I saw quite a lot of police activity just after dinner time.

“I’m shocked to hear this has happened, especially on such a busy road.

“Hopefully the police will catch whoever did this soon.”

The thieves were both described as white and in their late 20s or early 30s.

The man was wearing a grey tracksuit with the hood up, dark trousers and white trainers, police said.

And the woman was wearing a grey Adidas tracksuit top with possibly yellow stripes and dark trousers.

It was not immediately clear what weapons they had.

Call police on 101.