A MASKED robber terrorised betting shop staff with a knife before making off with about £1,000.

Two women members of staff at Ladbroke's betting office in Yorkshire Street, Burnley, were said to have been traumatised after the masked raider leapt on to the counter and pulled himself over the security screen before falling head first into the staff area.

The terrified woman fled from the shop while the raider scooped up about £1,000 from the day's takings.

When they saw him run into the grounds of near by St. Mary's Church they returned to the shop, locked themselves in and rang the police.

Despite a widespread search of the area the robber made his escape. Police are appealing for help from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at around 5.30pm last night when the streets were choc-a-bloc with traffic.

DC Mick Morris said the man apparently waited until customers left the shop after the last race on the card at 5.15pm.

Just before 5.35pm he went into the betting shop with a blue- handled kitchen knife already in his hand.

The agile offender managed to get over the security screen although there is only a small gap between the protective screen and the ceiling.

DC Morris said the two women were badly frightened and traumatised by the incident.

The robber is described as a white man in his twenties, 5ft 4-5ins tall, slim and with dark hair.

He was wearing a black stocking or tubular grip over his face and was also wearing a blue, long-sleeved sweat shirt with a crew neck, blue jeans and white trainers.

Anyone who can help with police inquiries is asked to contact Burnley CID on 425001.

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