AN ELDERLY holidaymaker making his first ever visit to Morecambe was robbed just five minutes after getting off the bus.

Thugs attacked and robbed the 75-year-old man within minutes of him arriving in the resort from Rotheram.

Five young men grabbed at a video camera, strapped around their shocked victim's neck, and pushed the pensioner to the floor.

The man, who asked not been named, had made a special journey to Morecambe to spend the day filming attractions such as the Eric Morecambe statue.

Instead, he was forced to spend his time in hospital with a graze to his nose before returning home. He was looking for a chip shop in the Heysham Road and Sefton Road area of town after being dropped off by a tour bus at the Battery Hotel.

He has said that he will not be making a return journey to the resort.

The assault took place at 1.45pm on Friday afternoon and police have appealed for witnesses.

The victim was unable to give a detailed description of his attackers, who were all around 20 years old, with one of the group said to be extremely tanned or Asian in appearance.

Det Sgt Mark Salisbury of Morecambe police said: "This was a callous attack on an elderly gentleman which is particularly disturbing as he was a visitor to Morecambe and on this basis the public are asked for their help in identifying the youths."

In another callous act of violence in the West end of the town, a 51-year-old disabled man was forced to hand over cash by yobs wielding a two foot wooden staff.

Even after the terrified victim gave them £170, one of the youths pushed him to the floor.

The yobs struck on an alleyway running parallel to Regent Road and Clarendon Road at around 10.30pm last Thursday, October 11.

The victim, who uses crutches, was approached by a group of at least two young men who demanded that he hand over money.

Fearing for his safety, the man handed over the £170, but was still pushed to the floor.

The youths were described as 20 to 30 years old, at least 6ft tall, of stocky build, wearing baseball caps. The one who spoke had a Northern accent.

Anyone with any information on either incident is asked to contact the police on 63333.