DETECTIVES in Accrington today renewed their appeal for information about a robbery in which a shopkeeper was believed to be coshed with a gun.

Iftikhar Ashraf, 20, was attacked at around 7pm on Wednesday in his family's shop, Thoroughgoods, in Manchester Road.

Detective Sergeant Paul Murphy, of Accrington CID, said officers were pursuing various lines of inquiry, which included looking at footage from the shops' security cameras and town centre CCTV system.

The violent crook, who stole cash and goods, hit his victim over the head with what police believe was a handgun. He then made his escape from the shop on foot.

He was described as white man and wore a black balaclava. He had an average build, blue eyes and wore wearing a dark jacket and light coloured trousers or jeans.

Detective Sergeant Murphy said: "We are appealing for witnesses to the incident, anyone who saw anything suspicious prior to the incident, or anyone with information about the offender to contact us."

Call Accrington CID on 353743 or the confidential Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.