A 51-YEAR-OLD woman suffered a suspected broken arm when she was knocked to the floor by robbers who stole her handbag.

She was walking from Blackburn Cathedral towards Blackburn College when she was approached from behind by two men in Montague Street. They pulled her handbag, which contained some personal items, from her shoulder, causing the victim to fall to the floor.

Police said the men were chased by passers-by. However, they lost them in the area around Stonyhurst Road. The attack happened at around 8.10pm on Sunday.

Det insp Mark Vaughton said: “Inquiries are at a very early stage, but I would appeal for anybody who saw what happened or who has any information to come forward.”

The men were both around 5ft 9ins tall. One was wearing dark-coloured jeans and zip up jacket with a hood. The other was possibly wearing a grey top.

A 24-year-old man from Blackburn has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and was being questioned by detectives last night.