A NEWSAGENT was threatened with an axe and a pole by two masked men during a robbery.

Detectives have issued a witness appeal following the incident at Hoopers Newsagents on Bury Road, Rawtenstall, at 5.50pm on Sunday

Police said the two robbers, one carrying an axe and the other carrying a pole, entered the shop with their faces covered and demanded cash.

They left with a small amount of money from the till and, together with a third man who acted as a lookout outside the shop, ran off towards Firepit pub.

Det Sgt Sarah Hargreaves said: “The shop assistant who was threatened is understandably shaken by her ordeal.

“We know that both of the men who went inside were white and spoke with a local accent. One of them was wearing a military style trench coat.

“I am keen to trace a man who chased the offenders away from the scene and a woman who was stood outside and saw them run away.

“If this sounds like you, or you know anything about who was involved, please make contact with us as soon as possible.”

Witnesses can email 3452@lancashire.pnn.police.uk or call 01282 472244. If you fail to get an answer, you can dial 101 and quote incident reference 1222 of March 1.

Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.