Police are hunting two men they believe were responsible for the heist at Jagar Jewellers on Cedar Square last month.

Now officers have released footage from a nearby pawn brokers which they believe both suspects entered just minutes before launching the destructive attack on Jagar's.

Crazed hammer robbery caught on CCTV

It shows a taller man in a duffel coat enter and speak to someone in the shop while a shorter man carrying a bag comes in behind him before leaving quickly.

Det Con Alan Quanbrough of Blackpool CID said the new images should be good enough friends and acquaintances to identify the men featured.

He said: "We believe these are the same two men whom we are looking for in connection with the Jagar robbery.

"These are very good pictures and I feel anyone who knows these two will recognise them from the footage.

"This camera has also picked up the second male who was not caught on the Jagar's footage and we would appeal to anyone who thinks they know either of them to get in touch."

The raid, shortly before 3pm on Tuesday, March 25, left owner James Connaughton, 54, badly shaken.

CCTV footage issued at the time shows him bravely battling the crazed robber, protecting his wife from the onslaught.

Armed police were called to the town centre store shortly after reports of the raid in which one man kept lookout while his accomplice set off on a rampage, smashing display cabinets and grabbing jewels.

The pair escaped with £15,000 of jewellery.

Police have issued a description of the robber armed with the hammer as a white man, around 5ft 6in tall, slim with dark or black hair, wearing a grey, long-sleeved hooded top and a black sleeveless bodywarmer.

The pair ran out of the shop and are believed to have headed along Wood Street towards Blackpool Bus Station.

Call Blackpool Police on (01253) 604018 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 with information.