A MAN threatened to kill three women as he attempted to rob them at knifepoint in Accrington.

The women were attacked and told to hand over their mobile phones during the ordeal in Willows Lane, Accrington.

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Lancashire police have appealed for witnesses after they launched an investigation to find the attacker, who fled empty-handed.

The victims, all Asian women in their late teens and early twenties, were confronted by a man near Willow Mount Working Men's Club at around 8.45pm on Saturday.

Police believe that the attacker pulled out a knife as he crossed the road towards the women from Perth Street, before threatening one of the them with the knife while grabbing her shoulder.

He then dragged the woman towards a bus shelter, forced her to the floor, and held the knife near her head. One of the other women tried to grab the knife and sustained a minor cut to her hand.

The man continued to threaten the women and said that he would kill them if they did not hand over money. The women screamed and eventually the man ran off towards Perth Street.

Detective Constable Dan Perkins, of Blackburn Police, said: "This was a very traumatic incident for the three women involved and I would urge anyone with information about the incident to get in touch with us as soon as possible."

The attacker is described as a white, 5ft 9in tall, and of thin build with a pale complexion. He is thought to be aged between 30 and 35-years-old and is described as having sagging skin on his face.

He was wearing a black tracksuit with the hood down and a black beanie hat. Another man is thought to have waited on Perth Street throughout the incident.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log number 1181 of November 8.