A WOMAN escaped serious harm after being hit by a firework thrown by a gang of youths.

Ambulance crews were called to Mill Lane in Blackburn town centre at around 12.50pm yesterday, where they found a woman, believed to be around 65, with cuts to her shin.

Three youths were seen fleeing towards Jubilee Street and are being hunted by police.

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The woman was treated in the street, which is home to several industrial units, before being taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, a North West Ambulance spokeswoman said.

Her injuries are not believed to be serious. Fire service spokesman John Taylor said crews from Blackburn were also called to the scene but were not needed.

He said: “A woman was hit on the shin by a firework thrown by children, suffering small cuts. It clearly had potential to do a lot of damage and, from a fire point of view, it can and has started fires.

“It’s not funny. It’s positively dangerous and that’s not finger wagging for no reason but borne out of my experience of fires and injuries over the years.”

A police spokeswoman said: “There might have been somebody around the area at that time who has valuable information. If anyone saw three youths making off towards the town centre, I would ask them to get in touch.”

A CCTV camera could also hold vital clues. Call 101 quoting log number 0549 of 18 August with any information, or report it anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org