Detectives have renewed their appeal to find the hooded thieves after spotting a black square automatic handgun in CCTV footage of the incident and not a knife, as first thought was used.

The pair used the weapon and a baton to threaten staff at the Betfred bookmakers store in Granton Walk, Ingol, before they made off with around £500 in cash and a mobile phone.

It happened at around 8.40pm on Friday.

The female shop assistants escaped unhurt.

Det Insp Ian Dawson, of Preston CID, said: "This is a serious offence where a handgun has been brought to the scene by the offenders in order to commit this robbery.

"The victims are still shaken."

The force have also confirmed that the robbers were carrying a black J D Sports bag, which was previously unclear.

The first man in the raid is described as white, in his early 20s, slim build, 5ft 6ins tall and is thought to have spoken with a Liverpudlian accent.

He was wearing a black tracksuit jacket with a hood over his head, black gloves, black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

The second man is described as in his early 20s, slim build, 5ft 10ins tall and also had a Liverpudlian accent.

He was wearing a black waterproof jacket with shell suit-type tracksuit bottoms, black trainers with a white rim and black gloves.

He also had a hood over his head. The pair used a green and black ASP baton and a black handgun to threaten staff.

Police say they hope to release CCTV footage of the incident within the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, detectives are also continuing to hunt armed robbers who raided a convenience store in Ribbleton.
Two armed robbers were thought to have been chased after the robbery at around 9.30pm at the Grange Convenience Store in Grange Avenue on Friday.

Armed with a knife and hammer, they threatened the female shop assistant before making off with £400.

The first man is aged between 17 and 20, 5ft 10ins tall with a tanned complexion and is thought to be of mixed race.

He had a deep voice with a Preston accent and was wearing a black jacket and tracksuit bottoms. He was of slim build and was carrying a knife.

The second man is described as white, aged 17 to 20, of slim build, 5ft 11ins tall, wearing dark blue tracksuit bottoms, a dark puffer style jacket with a grey bee line type pattern.

He was carrying a small hammer.

Police said the pair were wearing hoods which had been tightened so onlookers could only see around their eyes.

Call Preston CID on 01772 203203 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you can help.

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