POLICE are investigating reports that a 40-year-old woman from Darwen was slashed in the arm outside her home.

Officers were called to the incident at Astley Gate, Darwen, at 3.30pm on Saturday, after the woman called 999 following a struggle as she put the rubbish out.

She was allegedly confronted by an Asian man wearing dark jeans, a dark hooded top and a scarf over his face and carrying a knife.

She suffered a deep wound to her right forearm and was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Call Darwen CID on 01254 353841 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.