TWO masked men forced their way into a house after knocking on the door but then left without stealing anything.

The pair, who were wearing balaclavas, kicked the door open after it was answered by the occupant.

They made a short search of the downstairs of the house, in Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors and then ran out of the back.

No damage was done to the house and nothing was stolen.

The owners of the house are said to have been "frightened out of their wits" by the incident.

Inspector Steve Haworth said it might have been the first time the offenders had committed a crime of that nature.

"They may well have been unsure of themselves, not wanting to hang around for so long and not finding anything to steal.

"They were only there for a moment but frightened the wits out of the occupants."

Police believe the raiders may have left in a dark-coloured saloon car parked in an alley way off Whalley Road and left via Melbourne Street then Atlas Street.

Anyone with any information should contact Blackburn police on 01254 51212.