A FAMILY was threatened with a gun during a terrifying road-rage incident.

The father was driving in Bacup Road, Waterfoot, at 3.30pm on Saturday when he became concerned about a silver Audi A4 driving too close to his car.

Police said he gestured to the Audi driver as they approached the roundabout in Bocholt Way, Rawtenstall.

They argued as they passed over the roundabout.

The Audi driver then left the dad and his family, including children, stunned as he drove alongside them and brandished a handgun.

Police said the gun was not pointed directly at the family and no shots were fired.

The gunman, who detectives said could have been wearing a balaclava, then sped off on the wrong side of the road towards Asda.

As the 05-registered Audi had to swerve to avoid smashing into oncoming cars.

Police today appealed for witnesses and said the area would have been busy at the time with weekend shoppers.

The victims were left shaken by the ordeal but were not injured.

Police said they did not want to release details of the family or their car to prevent reprisals.

Detective Constable Tim Maddox, of Rossendale CID, said: "The Audi was driving very erratically and because it has been up his backside, the other driver has raised issue with the driver of the Audi.

"They have got into a dispute and the driver of the Audi has decided he was going to have his 10 penneth with him.

"There was a road-rage incident where the single occupant in the Audi pulled up at speed at the side of the vehicle and threatened the driver, who believes he has seen a gun in the hand of the driver of the Audi.

"These people are very shaken by the incident but fortunately they were not injured.

"The Audi did pull into on-coming traffic and it overtook cars as it continued down towards Asda.

"There was a number of people who had to flash and let the vehicle through.

"Gun crime in the area is rare and this type of incident is not regular over here."

Anybody with information about the incident should contact Rossendale CID on 01706 237440 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.