Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a 40-year-old man was attacked and robbed on a cycle track in Lancaster at the weekend.

The offence took place around 9.00pm on Sunday 21st October when the victim was approached by three men with a terrier dog as he went for a walk on the cycle track near to the Dolly Blue Tavern pub.

The men followed the victim a short distance, continuously insulting him. As he walked underneath the railway bridge on Longmarsh Lane the victim turned to confront the men and was then punched in the face.

When he retaliated and attempted to run away, but fell over due to an existing ankle injury, the offenders pinned the victim to the floor, shouted abuse at him and searched his pockets, stealing a quantity of cash. They then ran off, two across the football fields towards the Dolly Blue pub and the third man along to the cycle track.

“This was an unprovoked assault and robbery on a man that was simply out for a walk,” DC Tris Hardwick from Lancaster CID commented. “I would appeal to anybody that recognises the descriptions of these three men or saw anybody acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the offence to come forward.”

All the offenders are white, the first described as being a stocky build, aged in his 20s and wearing a waterproof jacket with the peaked hood up and dark trousers.

The second offender was aged between 30 and 40, skinny build and was wearing a dark grey Nike tracksuit with a red tick across the front.

The third man was aged in his 20s, large muscular build and was wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with any information should call Lancashire Police on 101.