A MAN armed with a gun threatened staff in a shop in an attempted robbery, police said.

He pointed the gun at the shop owner and then hit him in the throat, demanding money while a second man stood outside keeping watch.

The raid was unsuccessful and they fled empty handed. There were no customers in the shop at the time.

The pair are now being hunted, and officers said it is not known if the firearm was a real hand gun or an imitation.

The incident took place at around 6:35pm on Saturday at ‘Stump Lane Stores’ in Stump Lane, Chorley.

The first man was described as white, around 30 years of age and of muscular build. The second man, who waited outside the shop, was described as being of a slightly slimmer build.

DC Lisa Rowlinson of Chorley CID said: “This incident left the shopkeeper, although uninjured, extremely shaken and I would urge anyone who has any information to come forward, even the smallest piece of information could be crucial.”