A LOAN company collector was knocked to the ground and robbed of £600 cash in Burnley last night.

But despite his injuries, the 61-year-old man got up and gave chase to his attacker, who eventually made his escape along streets off Colne Road.

The robbery took place at 9.15pm as the collector, who has not been named, was walking across the Paradise Club car park at the end of his regular door-to-door round.

He was taken to hospital and received 12 stitches to a cut on his forehead and was detained overnight for observation.

The victim also lost a tooth and sustained a cut to his ear.

Police say the attacker, described as a white male in his late teens or early 20s, hit the man in the back and tore off his red quilted jacket containing the cash.

The victim gave chase but lost the man in Sharpe Street as he headed toward the Bracewell Street and Ivy Street area.

The robber was wearing a purple and and green anorak and wore a baseball cap.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Burnley police station.

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