A 42-YEAR-OLD man was left with serious injuries when he was robbed in Blackburn.

The attack happened as the victim walked through an alleyway in Queen Victoria Street towards Mill Hill Street and a man came up to him demanding his phone.

The victim told him he did not have a phone, at which point the robber punched him to the face and knocked him to the ground.

The attacker took £20 from the man before laughing and running away from the scene, possibly with a group of men.

The victim was treated at the Royal Blackburn Hospital and required surgery on a broken jaw.

The incident took place around 10.30pm on August 22.

DC Rachel Higson of Lancashire Police said: “This was a particularly cowardly attack which was unprovoked and has left the victim with serious injuries.

“We are interested in speaking to anybody that may have seen a group of men hanging around in the area at the time of the attack and anyone with information is urged to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log reference LC-20140827-0701 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.