TWO men broke into a house and attacked their victim with a baseball bat, police have said.

Detectives are investigating the assault in which a 39-year-old man was injured in Nelson.

The incident happened at around 11.30pm on December 27 at an address on Railway Street, close to the junction with Vernon Street.

The two men are said to have entered the home and assaulted their victim before leaving in an unidentified vehicle.

Both offenders are described as white and wearing dark clothing, one had his hood up while the other was wearing a balaclava.

The victim received an arm injury after being hit with a baseball bat. His injuries are not thought to be serious.

Police were then called to the same street at around 3.45pm the following day (December 28) after a vehicle had been damaged.

Two men in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of affray and criminal damage. The force are continuing to make enquiries.

Inspector Andy Ainsworth from East Division said: "I would appeal to anyone who was in the area around the time of either incident and witnessed something to come forward.

"We believe the people involved are known to each other and there is not thought to be a threat to the wider public.

"We have our neighbourhood policing officers working in the area and I would like to reassure the local community that patrols have been stepped up in the area."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lancashire Police on 101, quoting log number 1437 (December 27) and log number 0820 (December 28).

Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.