POLICE today issued CCTV pictures to help capture three men who carried out a "cowardly" robbery on a teenager.

The 16-year-old youth was attacked by the men in St Aiden's Avenue in Mill Hill, Blackburn.

The group threatened the boy with violence before taking his jewellery and a mobile phone and punching him.

Det Con Mark Green, of Blackburn CID, said: "This was a cowardly attack. The victim has not been badly injured but has been punched and threatened with violence." Police have now turned to the public for help over the August 27 attack.

Detectives have managed to produce CCTV images of the men which they believe people will recognise.

The robbers targeted the teenager shortly before 10pm. After surrounding him they stole a gold ring with marked with two bulldogs, a thick silver necklace and a light blue Nokia 3330 mobile phone.

Police said before the offence took place the three muggers had been in a Booze Busters shop, where they had stolen some wine, and the Spar shop in New Chapel Street.

The first offender is described as an 18-year-old, 5'6", of slim build, with fair hair and clean shaven. He was wearing a dark top with a horizontal band across it.

The second offender was aged 20 to 30-years-old, with a shaven or bald head, was quite well-built and wearing light-coloured trousers and a dark top.

The third is described as six feet tall, in his mid-twenties with short dark hair and possibly a moustache.

He was very slim and was wearing blue jeans and a blue or grey coloured T-shirt.

Police believe he was the ringleader of the violent gang and he instigated the robbery. Anyone who recognises the men or can help in the police inquiries can contact DC Mark Green on 01254 353569.