RAIDERS escaped with £1,300 in wages from an old folk's home in Great Harwood despite a brave attempt by the manageress to foil their getaway.

The two thieves struck at Great Harwood Lodge residential home for the elderly, in Edward Street, at 4pm yesterday.

One of the thieves was disturbed inside an office at the home by 29-year-old manageress Mrs Shereen Booth, who lives in Baxenden.

He fled off on foot when challenged by Mrs Booth, who then tried to get the car keys off his accomplice escaping in a blue Vauxhall Astra.

Around £1,000 made up in in wage packets was later recovered in the grounds of the Methodist church in King Street.

A police spokesman said: "Mrs Booth was quite brave to have a go. She has tried to get the keys off him but he has managed to put them in the ignition and drive off.

"There was a little bit of a struggle but not of a violent nature." The raider on foot ran into Edward Street and turned right up Commercial Road.

The navy blue Astra estate drove off up Holgate Street.

The police helicopter was mobilised but the pair escaped.

The man on foot is white, aged between 35 and 40, around 5ft 10in, has dark short cropped hair, stubble and a slight moustache.

He had a gold stud in his right ear, and was wearing faded denim jeans, and a light beige and white checked shirt.

His accomplice in the car is white, aged about 45, of similar height, has grey, collar length hair with darker streaks within it and a fringe, and a grey moustache.

He was wearing blue denim jeans and a pale, blue checked shirt.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the two men, before or after the burglary, or who recognises their descriptions to contact Great Harwood police station on 01254 884800.

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