A TEENAGER was attacked and beaten by youths who stole his mobile phone in a busy town centre.

Chris Vanns, of Ightenhill, Burnley, was in Blackburn with his wife Angela and son 13-year-old Christopher.

Christopher wanted to use his Nokia 3310 mobile and so went out of the shopping precinct into Church Street to make a call at about 4pm on Wednesday.

His father said: "Two lads came up beside him and there was another lad in the background.

"They asked if he wanted to sell his phone and when my son said no a girl took it off him. Christopher grabbed the girl but she passed the phone to one of the lads and then this other lad grabbed him and started kicking him.

"Everyone in the precinct and on the road just watched and no-one did anything to help. Then I heard my son shouting someone had stolen his phone and I could see he had hold of one lad so I chased after the others but lost them in the market hall."

Mr Vanns said while they were waiting for the police a young woman came up to them and said how she had heard the lads planning the theft while she had been waiting at the bus stop.

He said: "She said she could not wait for the police, but I am appealing for her to come forward and tell the police exactly what she heard."

Christopher's phone had a distinctive bright yellow cover with holograms of fish and will cost £140 to replace.

Christopher is currently being tutored at home because his family is in dispute with the education authority about the secondary school he was allocated.

They appeal each year to try to get him a place at nearby Ivy Bank High School but so far have been unsuccessful.

His home education is helped by Education Otherwise from Accrington whose advisers are monitoring Christopher's progress.

Mr Vanns, a plasterer, said: "I am appealing for anyone who saw the attack on my son to contact Blackburn police."

Blackburn police confirmed one youth was arrested at the time and released on police bail and several others are due to be interviewed. Police are also reviewing CCTV footage.