A SHOPKEEPER has told of his frightening ordeal at the hands of a knifeman and praised a customer for stepping in.

Musa Patel, owner of Five Star Newsagents, Southworth Street, Blackburn, was in his shop when a teenage raider burst in brandishing a 10in knife.

Mr Patel said the shop had been busy around the time of the incident.

"He came running through the doors up to me. He shouted 'give me the cash' and had a huge knife. I was so frightened."

Mr Patel said the intervention of a customer scared off the raider, who fled empty handed, on Friday afternoon.

"She went up to him and he ran away. I chased him down the street but he went down a back alley.""The lady was crying afterwards with shock. If she had not been there he could have stabbed me and even killed me.

"She is a regular customer but I don't know her name and she has not been in since. I owe her a big thank you when I see her." Police have launched an appeal for the teenage raider, who fled down Mosely Street and Abraham Street.

Detective Sergeant Paul Withers of Blackburn CID said the raider was white, about 18 years old, with medium-length, brown hair. He was 5ft 5in, clean shaven, of stocky build and with a chubby face.

Anybody with information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Blackburn CID on 01254 353569.