TWO women shop assistants were threatened by a well-spoken robber armed with a crowbar.

Two masked men got away with a substantial amount of cash and 800 Lottery scratch cards from Healds Day and Nite store in Colne Road, Duke Bar, Burnley.

They entered the shop just before it was due to close at 11pm last night and told the frightened members of staff to lock the door.

The men, who were wearing balaclava masks, stole money from the till and from a safe before leaving through the back door. A video cassette was also stolen.

The polite crook is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, in his early thirties and of broad build.

He was wearing a dark fleece jacket, black shiny tracksuit trousers with a white logo on the right thigh and black boots. He is described as being well spoken and with an accent that is not local.

The second robber is 5ft 2-6ins tall, slim with blue eyes, blond eyebrows and a bushy blond moustache. He was wearing a black waterproof jacket, dark blue jeans and was carrying a mobile phone.

DC Andy Bell said: "Police got there within minutes and there was a large number of pedestrians in the area.

"We are appealing for information from anyone who saw two people acting suspiciously in the area before the robbery or who may have seen them as they left.

"All information will be treated in the strictest confidence. Although the two women in the shop were not injured it was a frightening experience and they were badly shaken.''

Anyone with information is asked to contact Burnley CID on 01282 425001.

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