Police are appealing for information following an attempted robbery of a man in Lancaster.

Around 8.40pm on Monday 19h December, an 18-year -old man from the city was walking along the canal footpath between Shaw Road and Moor Lane when he was approached by two men.

They forced him to the ground and while one held him down the other emptied his pockets.

The muggers searched his wallet but threw it back on the floor when they realised it was empty, before running off towards the Ridge Estate.

One of the men is described as being around six feet tall, the other one slightly shorter; both were wearing dark clothing, hooded tops and scarves around their faces.

Detective Constable Mark Greaves said: “Thankfully the man wasn’t seriously injured, but it could have been worse. We are keen to find the people responsible and would urge anyone with any information about this incident to contact police.”

Anybody with any information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.