POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a knife-wielding attacker tried to stab a 25-year-old man in the stomach in what they said was an unprovoked attack.

The incident happened last Saturday at 8pm as the victim was walking on Westgate, Burnley.

He was approached from behind by a man who grabbed his left shoulder and then pulled a knife from his belt area and lunged towards the man's stomach. The victim grabbed his attacker's hand and he then ran off.

The attacker was white, aged 25 to 28, 5ft 6ins, stocky, with dark brown/black hair. He is described as having 'goggly' eyes and a squashed face, wearing a beige bobble hat with a white edge and designer badge on the front, a beige fleece and jeans.

Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.