A 26-YEAR-OLD man received a scratch to the face when a robber tried to steal his mobile phone in Blackburn town centre.

The victim had been walking in Darwen Street when the attacker approached him under the railway bridge.

Police said the man, who was wearing a distincive red hooded jumper, tried to snatch the phone from his victim’s hand, but ran off towards the town centre when before he could grab it.

Insp Phil Hutchinson appealed for anybody who might have witnessed the attack, which happened around 12.30am on Thursday, to come forward.

The attacker’s jumper was described as having black stitched writing on the left sleeve.

Insp Hutchinson said: “I would appeal to any of the local shopkeepers or anybody who was in the area at the time and might have seen anything to call us.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting reference LC-20141009-0498 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.