A BUS passenger was hit over the head when he refused to hand over his mobile phone to three thugs.

The 33-year-old man had just stepped off the bus in Bolton Road, Hawkshaw, when he was approached by the trio at 8.20pm on Thursday (March 13).

They asked him to look at his mobile phone and struck out with a weapon when the victim refused. All three men fled empty handed.

An appeals has been launched by police for witnesses to the attack which left the man with cuts to the back of his head.

Anyone with information can contact Bury CID on 0161 856 8150.