A MAN from Whalley out for a meal with his wife was robbed in the toilets of a pub.

The 31-year-old victim was struck on the back of his neck and held down on the floor at The Eagle public house in Barrow by two men, who stole personal items and his car keys around 10.10pm on Friday.

They then drove his car – a black Toyota Aygo – to Church Street, Ribchester, close to the banks of the River Ribble and near to St Wilfrid’s School.

It was torched just after 11pm, with police and the fire service called.

Fire crews said it was ‘well alight’ by the time they arrived and had spread to another parked car – a Vauxhall Antara jeep – which was also damaged in the blaze.

Detective Inspector Mark Winstanley, of Blackburn CID, said two men had followed the victim into the toilets at the pub and then robbed him of his wallet, wedding ring and car keys.

He said: “We believe the two men had been drinking in the pub earlier that night and would appeal to anybody with information about them, or who saw the black Toyota in Ribchester, to come forward.

Two men, aged 31 and 38 and from the Ribchester area, were arrested on suspicion of robbery.