A 16-year-old boy was beaten up and robbed at Blackburn Railway Station, police said.

The boy, from Oswaldtwistle, was with his 14-year-old girlfriend at 10.30pm on Saturday, when he tried to buy tickets home using a self-service machine.

As the machine only takes exact change and the boy only had a £5 note, he approached two Asian men to ask for change. Shortly after a conversation with the man, the boy was attacked.

Inspector Graham Ashcroft said: “The two Asian males demanded that he hand them the note, but the lad refused.

“One of the Asian males started repeatedly punching the lad around the face, then the other joined in with knee strikes and kicking.”

Police are now looking through CCTV footage from the railway station to trace the attackers, who fled the scene.

One is described as well built, 5ft5in tall, aged 17 to 18, with stubble on his face, with short dark hair, and was wearing a black jacket and black trousers.

The second man is also described as well built but slightly shorter and slightly older, with stubble, and was also wearing dark clothing.

Anyone who can help the police is asked to call 101.