A BMW car was used in a ram raid at a cash and carry store in Blackburn.

It is believed thieves tried to break down one set of wooden doors, setting off the alarm at J Stott and Sons Ltd, in Tontine Street.

They then tried again on a second set of doors.

Their car was later found abandoned in Whalley New Road, in Bastwell.

Director at the firm Mr Holt said: "We don't know yet if anything has been stolen but anything of value and any cash is stored elsewhere.

"We have two businesses in one building here. One part manufactures uniforms and the other, where this happened, is the cash and carry which sells stationery to traders.

"It is open to traders but not to the general public. There is nothing worth stealing. It looks like they tried to get in the first door, which set the alarm off, and then tried the second.

"I think they would have run out of time before they had chance to steal anything. A till was knocked to the floor but there was no cash in it."

Five people are employed in the cash and carry department of the business, which is owned by Mr Holt's mother, Kathleen Barnes.