AN ASIAN couple was racially abused and threatened with a knife as they walked in a Blackburn park.

They were approached by two men, who had three dogs with them, while in Queen's Park.

Police said the attackers were 'racially abusive' towards the couple and threats were made with a knife before the couple managed to get away unharmed.

A police investigation has been launched and officers are appealing for anybody with information about the attack, which happened around 5pm on Thursday (Nov 27), to come forward.

Insp Nick Hodgeson said he was particularly interested in speaking to anybody who might have been in the area at the time.

He said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a young couple and I am keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time who perhaps saw two men walking three dogs.”

The men were described as being white and in their early 20s. They had two small white dogs and a larger black dog with them.

Community leaders have condemned the attack and called for cohesion between people from different ethnic backgrounds.

Coun Faryad Hussain, who represents the Queen's Park ward, said the incident must have been a terrible experience for the victims.

He said: "This kind of incident is not nice for any community whether the victims are Asian or white.

"People should live in a cohesive community with residents from all walks of life.

"This is a multicultural society and people need to harmonise and live peacefully together."

Faz Patel, a community cohesion adviser from Blackburn, said he was 'extremely disappointed' to hear about the attack.

He said: "It is shocking and an absolutely disgusting thing to happen in Blackburn.

"At the end of the day, we have to work as one community and racial tensions do not help."

He encouraged anybody who might be able to help officers with their inquiries to call police as soon as possible.

Mr Patel added: "I think anybody who saw this incident or who knows anything about it should report it to the police."

Anybody with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting log number 1028 of November 27 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.