A MAN wearing a Hallowe'en mask and brandishing a stick demanded cash from two young female shop assistants.

The man went into the newsagents on Olive Lane, Darwen and demanded they hand over money from the till.

The women refused to hand the money over and he then fled empty-handed after they rang for the police.

The man had ginger hair and a rubber Halloween mask on his face.

He was 5ft 10ins tall and wore a cream jacket and jeans.

DS Ian Critchley of Darwen CID said it was a serious offence and they would be interested in hearing from anyone with information about it.

He added that he would specifically like to know if anyone had any information relating to the mask.

Anyone with information on the incident which happened at 8.40pm on Wednesday should call Darwen CID on 01254 353841 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.