A TEENAGER was left with a bloody nose after being punched in the face by a boy on her way to her grandad's house after school.

Madison Cronshaw had just left some of her friends after crossing Alice Street in Accrington at around 3.50pm on Monday.

The St Christopher's CE High School pupil was then assaulted by someone who was walking behind her.

Dad Lee Cronshaw called for any witnesses or CCTV footage of the incident on social media.

The 43-year-old said: "She was walking on Sultan Street when she heard some footsteps behind her. Then the boy approached her and punched her in the face.

"She cowered down to cover her face and as she got her composure she saw the boy was 20m running down Sultan Street.

"The boy was wearing an Accrington Academy uniform.

"She is quite resilient and carried on walking with her bleeding nose and took a picture of it. She got herself together to get to her grandad's.

"He was shocked when she arrived covered in blood.

"She was playing it down yesterday morning and did not understand the magnitude of what happened.

"Her injuries may not be too bad but it is shocking. She does not know why anybody would do it to her."

Mr Cronshaw added that they had to take the 13-year-old to Accrington walk-in centre as she had a headache but she was given the all-clear.

He said the support they have received on social media about the news has been amazing.

"I think it has got 1,500 reactions and then 450 comments on Facebook. People have been saying how shocked they were about the incident."

An Accrington Academy spokesman said: "We are aware of reports on social media about an incident and stand ready as you would expect to liaise with the appropriate authorities if approached."

Sgt Nigel Hindle, of Hyndburn neighbourhood policing team, said: "We are aware of an incident that occurred and was posted on Hyndburn Chat social media with regards to an unprovoked assault on a 13-year old St Christopher's pupil on Alice Street, Accrington, by a male youth believed to be from another school.

"I have spoken to the victim’s father regarding this horrid assault and arrangements are in place to further the investigation in order to identify and deal with the offender.

"There will be increased police presence outside the schools at closing time and the neighbourhood policing team will be conducting visits to the schools involved.

"Officers are currently conducting a CCTV trawl in the area of the offence. If anyone has any further information or CCTV regarding the incident that occurred at 3.49pm can they please contact 101 and quote log reference LC-20210322-1231."