POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a teenage window cleaner was punched in the face and robbed in Great Harwood.

The 18-year-old, who is from Oswaldtwistle, went into an alleyway behind Queen Street because he needed to go to the toilet.

He was approached by a group of five Asian men. Three stood guard at the alley entrance while the other two asked him if if had any money.

One of them then punched the him in the face, causing bruising and swelling to his left eye. His attackers then took his blue rucksack from him and left the scene.

The rucksack contained around £180 in cash.

The victim described two males as being between 18 or 19 years of age, both with short black hair. One was said to be around 5ft 11in tall and was wearing a white tracksuit and Timberland boots

The other was described as being around 5ft 10in tall and was wearing a brown three-quarter-length jacket, black Nike tracksuit bottoms and white Nike trainers.

PS Dave Reddin, from Great Harwood police, said: "We would like to hear from anyone who has seen anything or who recognises the descriptions to contact us."

Anyone with information about the incident, which happened at around 2.30pm on Friday is asked to telephone Great Harwood CID on 353342 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.