A NEWSAGENT was slashed across the neck and hands with a knife during a terrifying Boxing Day raid.

The attempted robbery happened as Ibrahim Patel, 20, sorted the morning newspapers at 6.35am yesterday.

A man wearing a scarf over his face pounced on Mr Patel and pushed a knife into his neck as he made demands for cash.

During the struggle Mr Patel suffered cuts to his hands and neck.

"I couldn't believe what was happening," said Mr Patel, whose father Mohammed Musa Patel, owns the shop in Audley Range at the junction with Lambeth Street, Blackburn.

"He just came from nowhere and started shouting 'give me the money'.

"He was swearing a lot and dragged me over to the till. I was screaming and he tried to run off when he heard my brother was coming . "I managed to trap him at the door but he got free. He was definitely out to hurt me.

"My hands are badly cut because I put them up to protect me."

Mr Patel was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary to have stitches in the cuts and was back at work later in the day.

Inspector Stuart Coates, of Blackburn police, said: "This could have been much more serious.

"There were a number of people going to and from a nearby mosque at this time so we would appeal for any witnesses to come forward."

The man is described as Asian, in his mid-twenties, 5ft 11in tall, of stocky build.

He had a dark coloured scarf wrapped around his face and was wearing a dark coloured bobble hat and black, zip-up jacket.

Anybody with information should call Blackburn Police on 01254 51212.

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