TWO suspected drug addicts threatened a shopper with hypodermic syringes in a "disturbing" designer clothes robbery.

The pair made the shocked 27-year-old man hand over his shopping in Hope Street, off Preston New Road, Blackburn.

A cream Armani jacket and a dark blue Burberry jumper, worth a total of £500, were taken before the robbers ran off towards the town centre.

Police think the items will be sold on the black market and are urging people to be on the lookout - especially for the jacket, of which only two have been sold in the town.

It is not known whether the syringes were used or had anything in them.

As soon as the needles were brandished, the man surrendered his bags. He was said to be shaken but unharmed.

The victim was walking home after visiting prestigious clothes shop Originals, off Sudell Cross.

Detective Constable Martin Hulme, of Blackburn CID, said: "This was a particularly disturbing attack on an unsuspecting man going about his own business.

"While this sort of attack is extremely rare it is important that we catch these two men.

"If anyone witnessed the incident or has been offered these very distinctive items of clothing, then I would ask them to contact me straight away."

Both men were white, in their mid-20s and described as 'gaunt'.

One was 5ft 6in, with shaved brown hair and was wearing a red t-shirt and light blue jeans.

The other was 6ft 1in, with shaved black hair and was wearing a dark blue t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with information about the attack last Saturday afternoon should contact DC Hulme on 01254 353559 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.