POLICE are appealing for two men to come forward after they gave chase to thieves who attacked a female Australian tourist in front of her daughter on Blackpool Promenade.

The incident occurred after the mother and daughter were befriended by a man and woman at the corner of Station Road near South Pier at around 11.30pm on Tuesday, September 16.

After chatting for a while the female offender hit the mother in the face before trying to grab her daughters bag.

When the daughter resisted the pair apologised to the mother before making a grab for her brown leather handbag which contained a gold watch, £200 and a Canon camera.

They then made off towards Lytham Road and onto Waterloo Road chased by the two unknown men.

The victims were in the resort after flying thousands of miles from their home Unenderra, New South Wales, on a visit to see relatives in Scotland.

They described the female offender as of slim build, around 5ft 4ins tall, aged in her late 30s or early 40s, with short brown hair and of a haggard appearance. She was wearing a black jacket, jeans and boots, with lots of earrings in both ears.

The male offender has been described as around 5ft 7ins, of slim build with short black hair. He was wearing a grey jumper and blue jeans.

Police investigating the incident were unable to get a description of the two men.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Blackpool Police on 01253 293933.