CAR hi-jackers pushed a gun in the face of a Rossendale driver and ordered him and his terrified girlfriend out of the car.

The early morning incident took place when the car, a Vauxhall Astra, stopped at temporary traffic lights in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, at the junction with Victoria Way only yards from a row of houses.

Two men climbed into the back of the vehicle, produced a firearm and brandished it in the face of the male driver.

He and his front-seat passenger girlfriend were ordered out of the vehicle and one of the hi-jackers jumped into the driver's seat and sped away as they stood on the pavement.

The stolen car was driven to a nearby junction where it did a rapid U-turn before heading off in a westerly direction.

Police said both the driver and passenger are traumatised and very upset by their ordeal. They are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident shortly after midnight on Saturday morning, to come forward. Det Sgt Stuart Barlow said police were particularly anxious to hear from the driver of a white saloon, possibly a taxi, parked in front of the Astra at the lights.

They also want to hear from driver or passengers of a blue old-style Landrover, parked behind the Vauxhall, who would have had a clear view of the incident. Det Sgt Barlow added: "People getting in and out of a car may not have seemed anything out of the ordinary to people nearby at the time.

"But if we can trace the people in these vehicles, it could be very important."

Police say they do not believe either of the parked vehicles were connected with the crime.

The Astra was travelling towards Bacup and had just passed the Ashworth Arms public house when it stopped at the lights.

The driver noticed one of the hi-jackers sitting on a nearby wall on his nearside.

One of the men is described as male white, with short dark hair and wearing a light coloured top with three blue stripes running along the seams of the sleeves.

The Astra registration number is S675 ABN and today had still not been traced.

Anyone who saw what happened or sees the stolen car is asked to ring Burnley police on 01282 425001.