DETECTIVES are continuing to hunt a gang of armed robbers who stole more than £50,000 from outside a Burnley shop.

Police now believe the gang who robbed a Securicor van outside the Spar in Brunshaw Road in October were from outside the area.

Guards from the security firm were delivering cash to an ATM at about 2pm on Tuesday, October 19 when three men wearing ski masks and carrying a machete and baseball bat struck.

Police believe the gang either followed the van to the area from outside the county or staked out the movements in the weeks before the raid.

The robbers sped off in a grey VW Golf GTi driven by a fourth offender.

The car was later found abandoned in Brunshaw Road, Worsthorne and a second car used to escape the area.

The second vehicle, white or cream, is still being hunted.

The offenders are described as white and aged between 20-40 years.

Det Sgt Derek Jones, of Burnley CID said: "The investigation into the robbery is ongoing and all our inquiries lead us to believe the offenders were from outside the area.

"We are looking for the second vehicle used and would appeal for anyone with information about that, or anything else in connection with the incident, to get in touch."

Securicor are offering a reward for information leading to the capture of the robbers.

Anyone with information should call Burnley CID on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.