POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a young boy was threatened by a teenager into handing over his mobile phone.

Officers say the 12-year-old victim was waiting for a bus on the Boulevard, Blackburn, between 11.15am and 12.10pm on New Year's Day.

While standing at a bus shelter he was approached by a teenager aged between 14 and 15, who befriended the youngster.

The teenager, who claimed he lived in Chorley, and the youngster then spent about half an hour walking around the area, including the railway station and the entrance to Morrisons supermarket.

But the teenager became aggressive and threatened to stab the 12-year-old, and asked for his mobile phone. The phone was handed over and the culprit walked away.

The teenager was about 5ft 6in, of average build, spoke with a local accent, and had a prominent blister on the back of his right hand.

He was wearing a white New York Yankees baseball cap, short black Le Coq Sportif jacket with hood, cream Adidas tracksuit bottoms and white Rockport boots.

Anybody who can help should call Blackburn police station on 01254 51212.