POLICE have appealed for help in tracing two men who robbed two teenagers after talking to them.

The 14-year-old boys were walking along Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle, when they were approached by the men, who started chatting to them.

Officers say the men were friendly at first but then started intimidating the boys, and making threats.

They stole a mobile phone and £8 cash from the teenagers before escaping.

Both offenders were said to be in their late teens, and one wore a blue baseball cap, Nike blue sports clothing and had distinctive, chipped front teeth. His accomplice wore a Burberry baseball cap, with dark striped sports top and blue tracksuit bottoms.

Both men were drinking alcohol and carrying carrier bags.

The first man told the boys he had been electronically tagged.

Two men were arrested but released without charge.

DC Mark Winstanley, of Accrington CID, said the boy's mobile phone had been concealed inside a pocket and there was little he could have done to prevent this robbery.

He said: "He could not have done a great deal more in this instance.

"But mobile telephone thefts are quite a big problem at the moment and there are general points of advice to follow."

Anyone with any information about the incident at 5.30pm on Saturday is asked to contact Accrington CID on 01254 353741 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.