YOUNG thugs wielding pen-knives held up two terrified schoolboys and demanded they hand over their designer sports shirts during a vicious daylight attack.

The eight -year-old friends were playing on their bikes in a wooded area off Branch Road, Blackburn, when they were approached by two boys thought to be aged only 10 and 12.

Their ordeal lasted several minutes and involved one of them being punched in the face and kicked. Both were told if they did not strip off their shirts they would be slashed.

Police are appealing for help in their hunt for the offenders.

Inspector Richard Cox said: "This was a particularly nasty incident. The boys had never seen their attackers before and are understandably very shaken up by the ordeal. "It is quite possible these boys have taken the stolen shirts home and we would like to hear from anybody with information or perhaps parents of other youngsters who have been the victims of similar attacks and have yet to report them."

A blue Manchester United football shirt and an aqua-blue Reebok T-shirt were stolen during the robbery. The victims' bikes were also taken but later recovered abandoned in the woods.

One of the attackers is described as 12 years old with short, blond hair cut in a wedge-style. He wore a blue, green and black long-sleeved, checked shirt, blue jeans and black trainers.

His accomplice is thought to be 10 years old with short black hair cut in a wedge-style. He wore dark clothes and black trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 51212.

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