TWO separate attacks on young girls as they made their way to school in Blackpool this week have prompted an appeal for witnesses by Blackpool police.

In the first incident, a 10-year-old girl was walking past Bargain Booze on Central Drive between 8.30 and 9.30am on September 24 (Monday) when a woman walked towards her and, without warning, hit her hard in the face with a large black handbag.

A local council worker came to the aid of the distressed girl and the woman walked off along Central Drive.

The woman was described as white, around 5ft 3ins tall, in her early 20s and had long, black, curly hair. She wore a black, three-quarter length, hooded coat made from anorak material with a central zip. The bag she used in the assault was a large, shiny black leather or plastic handbag.

The second assault happened at 8.45am on the same day, opposite Reads Fisheries on Reads Avenue.

Another 10-year-old girl on her way to school was hit across the shoulders with a bag by a woman in an unprovoked attack.

The woman answered the same description as the first attacker.

Blackpool police were appealing for anyone who might recognise a woman of that description to contact them on 293933.