A TEENAGER is recovering after twice falling victim to a pair of would-be muggers on a main road in Burnley.

The 15-year-old was walking home along Todmorden Road on Tuesday when he was confronted by two youths outside the Flower Bowl store and post office, demanding his iPhone.

Police say the attackers, who struck around 4.20pm, were disturbed when a passing motorist, in a red car, intervened.

But when the 15-year-old continued home, the two returned and threatened him with a knife, as he passed the Spar shop.

Though the boy was punched in the head the pair were again thwarted when another driver in a blue car, stepped in.

Police have launched an appeal to identify the muggers who ran off towards the Burnley Wood area.

Each of them is said to be Asian and aged around 16 or 17. One was around 6ft tall, medium build and was wearing a black hooded top.

The second boy was 5ft 9ins tall, was slimmer, and was wearing a grey hooded top.

Det Con Ashley Johnston said: “Fortunately the victim was not seriously hurt and the offenders escaped empty handed."