THIS is the armed robber who burst into a Burnley funeral home and threatened staff with a handgun.

Detectives investigating the robbery at the Co-operative Funeral Services, Colne Road, Burnley, today released the e-fit and appealed for help from residents.

Officers are hoping that someone will come forward with information as they said it was "imperative" the robber and his accomplice were caught quickly.

The duo burst into the funeral home at 10.20am on April 27 and threatened a woman worker with the gun before escaping with a small amount of cash.

Police were today also reviewing CCTV footage from the morning of the incident in a bid for further clues. Detective Sergeant Graham Gallagher said: "This was a nasty incident which has left the woman involved very distressed.

"It is imperative that we catch the two men responsible as quickly as possible.

"If anyone witnessed the incident, recognises the e-fit or descriptions or has seen anything suspicious around the premises concerned then we would very much like to hear from them."

The offenders entered by the front door, which opens on to Colne Road, one of the main gateways to the town.

DS Gallagher added: "Inquiries are continuing with CCTV in the area still being checked.

"We want to hear from anyone who may have seen three men running from Cameron Street across Barden Playing fields around the time of the incident."

Both raiders were Asian, aged between 20-30, 5ft 9ins to 6ft, of average build and clean shaven.

One of them had short hair, squared off at the back of the neck and was wearing a dark, waist length jacket, dark trousers and dark gloves.

The other was wearing a white peaked baseball cap, a dark zip up jacket and dark trousers.

Anybody with information should contact Burnley CID on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.