POLICE today appealed for witnesses after a 53-year-old woman was punched in the face by a teenager who broke her glasses with the blow.

But the battling mum, who has not been named by police, fought off her attacker with an umbrella during the incident at 8.15am on Monday.

The victim was approached by the youth in Market Street, Bacup.

He punched her in the face, smashing her glasses and causing a cut to the bridge of her nose.

The woman was taken to hospital for treatment for cuts and bruises and was badly shaken by the incident.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the assault which happened at the side of a busy main road.

DS Nikki Bithell said: "It was a nasty incident."

She said: "The woman was approached by a youth aged about 16 who called her a name and started an argument with her.

"He then punched her with his right fist in her right eye breaking her spectacles.

"She suffered cuts to the bridge of her nose and a large bruise and swelling to the right side of her forehead.

"She struck him with her folded umbrella in self defence and he made off."

The youth is described as white, 16 years old, wearing a dark blue top with white stripes and a white woollen hat.

DS Bithell added: "There was no robbery it was a straight forward instance of wounding."

Anyone with information is asked to ring Rossendale CID on 01282 437442 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.