POLICE are appealing for information after two boys were attacked and a bike worth £3,500 was stolen during a robbery in Ramsbottom.

At around 4pm on Thursday, September 3, the boys, both aged 12, were cycling on Bolton Road North towards Edenfield.

When they were on the raised footbridge over Wood Lane, just after the slip road for the A56, they were approached by a man who demanded their bikes.

The offender pushed one of the boys off his bike, punching and kicking him, before kicking the other boy.

He took one of the bikes, a Cube mountain bike, before making off from the scene in the direction of Edenfield. Both boys suffered minor injuries.

The attacker is described as mixed race, between 5ft 9in and 6ft tall, aged between 17 and 19-years-old. He was wearing a beanie hat, black jacket and grey pants.

Detectives are appealing for information and want to speak to anyone who saw what happened and are also trying to find a light coloured, old shape Renault Megane, which is believed to be involved in the incident.

That vehicle travelled up Bolton Road North in the direction of Edenfield town centre and at that point it is believed they turned onto Rochdale Road in the direction of Norden.

Det Sgt Neil Pugh, of Burnley CID, said: “This was a violent and cowardly attack where two young boys have been targeted.

“This offence took place in broad daylight and I believe someone will have seen what happened.

“If you recognise the attacker described and have information which could assist our enquiries, please come forward. We are particularly keen to hear from anybody with dashcam or CCTV footage of the incident.

“Furthermore, if you have been offered this bike for sale, or know where it is, please contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or email 2584@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log 1042 of September 3.