A 26-year-old suffered a terrifying attack by a man who held a knife to her throat after hurling abuse from a car.

The woman, who lives in Waterfoot, was walking along Tod Carr Road in the town with her 14-year-old female cousin when a blue Ford Fiesta pulled up alongside them and the four men inside started verbally abusing them.

Sgt Graeme Fearn said: "A man who was in the passenger seat then got out and grabbed the older woman round the throat and he held a knife to her throat."

He said the man then got back in the car and drove off.

The attacker is described as white, aged 17 to 18, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins, of slim build, with light mousy brownish blond hair with a centre parting and wearing a light hooded sweatshirt.

Sgt Fearn said he knew of no similar incidents having occurred in the area.

He said: "Obviously we are very concerned that this kind of appalling thing has happened.

"The sooner we can catch the offenders, the better things will be for the public and the community."

Anyone with information on the incident at 8.30pm on Monday is asked to contact Rossendale CID on 01706 237442.