HAVE-a-go-heroes foiled masked armed robbers who were trying to hold up a McDonald's in Accrington.

Three men approached the Hyndburn Road takeaway, armed with a hammer, at around 10.40pm last night, confronting a member of staff.

But two maintenance workers, Scott Ashton and Stuart Williams, who had been repairing ducting within the premises, quickly intervened.

The pair managed to detain one of the robbers while his two accomplices ran off.

Scott, who works for Northern Shire Ltd, said that they then managed to flag down a passing police patrol car, and the suspect was arrested.

Police have praised the brave workers and confirmed that a 40-year-old Accrington man is being held on suspicion of attempted robbery.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "Three people had approached the doorway of the restaurant and confronted a member of staff who had been leaving the building.

"One man holding a hammer pushed the victim back into the premises towards the tills.

"The victim was helped by two people who had witnessed the incident and intervened by chasing the group.

"Two suspects made off from the scene but one man was tackled to the floor and detained until police arrived.

"A 40-year-old man from Accrington, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon and is in custody.

"Police wish to thank the two men who challenged and detained the alleged offender."

Police have confirmed enquiries are continuing to trace the two other men.

People with any information can contact police on 101 quoting log 1551 of February 6.

Chief Insp Hassan Khan, who attended the scene, later tweeted about the incident.

He said: "What were the chances of Lancs Police officers coming across a robbery at Accrington McDonald's?"