A WOMAN walking home from a Blackburn gym was approached by a man carrying a knife and had her bag stolen, police said.

The incident happened at 9.15pm on Friday as the 20-year-old woman, from the Blackburn area, was on her way back from the Bangor Street Community Gym.

The victim was approached by the man, who had the lower part of his face covered, near the steps in Conway Avenue.

She was carrying a white gym bag which she dropped as she fled the scene.

It contained her gym shoes and some personal items and was later recovered in Troy Street.

A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery, but police are still appealing for information.

A police spokesman said: “If anybody was in the area at that time and saw the offender or the bag, we would appeal for them to come forward.

“The offender was holding a knife at the time but the woman was not threatened by it.

“She had her headphones in so she was not aware of anything that was said to her.”

Anybody with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.