POLICE have appealed for witnesses to an attempted robbery by a man in a balaclava brandishing a screwdriver.

The incident took place on Sunday morning in the rear alleyway of Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, behind the library.

Around 50 residents living in the area close to the incident have had letters from the police appealing for information.

A 19-year-old man was walking along the alley at 10.34am when a man demanded his wallet while threatening him with a screwdriver.

The victim fled towards Pickup Street and the man left the alley in the opposite direction.

Detective Sergeant Neil Howarth, of Great Harwood CID, said: "The victim has not allowed the offender to get too close to him and has run to a more public place where there were a lot of people.

"But it could have been a lot worse if the victim had been someone else.

"This is quite a rare occasion and it is a serious and frightening one.

"We are eager to hear from anyone who recognises the description of the offender or knows who he is.

"Similarly if anyone saw anyone acting suspiciously , we want to hear from them."

The offender was described as white, 20, slim, 5ft 7in, wearing dark tracksuit bottoms, a cream jumper with thin blue stripes and a dark green or black balaclava.

He carried a screwdriver, possibly with a blue handle.

Contact Great Harwood CID on 01254 353039.