DETECTIVES are hunting two men who walked into an off licence acting as customers before they told counter staff they had a "shooter" and demanded money.

Staff at the Cheers off licence in Bacup were forced to hand over around £400 to the men at around 9pm on Sunday.

Police said the pair had gone into the shop in Rochdale Road and told the two members of staff to open the till as they had a gun.

They were handed around £400 in cash before leaving the shop, turning right on Rochdale Road.

Sheila Kershaw, 42, was working when the two men came into the shop and threatened her with what was believed to be a gun.

She said: "I was worried at the time because you don't know what these people are capable of.

"They told us to hand over all the money in the till, which we did because there is no point in arguing with people like that - it is not worth the risk.

"I was quite shaken up at the time but I won't let it stop me from getting on with my life."

Det Sgt Nikki Bithell, of Rossendale CID, said: "We are treating this incident very seriously and would urge anybody with information or anyone who may have seen people matching the descriptions of these two offenders near the shop at the time of the offence to come forward and contact us."

The two robbers were described as white males both in their late 20s or early 30s. The first was 5ft 10ins, slim build, wearing a dark baseball cap, black fleece jacket, denim jeans and scarf pulled over his face. The second was 5ft 10ins to 6ft, slim build, wearing a blue cap, black or dark scarf pulled over the face and white waist-length jacket with yellow and blue on the arms and base.

Anyone with information should phone Rossendale CID on 01706 237440 or Crimestoppers, free and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.