A COUNCILLOR has called for extra safety measures at a town centre cash point, following an assault on an off-duty policeman.

Liberal Democrat leader Paul Browne said he has feared such an attack for some time because the cash point is in such a secluded place.

Special constable Gareth McCormick, 21, was attacked at gun-point when he stopped at the Sainsbury's superstore in Redearth Road, Darwen.

Mr McCormick, who works for British Transport Police in Preston, said he was approached by three Asian men who threatened him and demanded money before hitting him over the head with a bottle and running off.

After hearing of the assault, Mr Browne said: "I am waiting to see what feedback I get, but we all know the cashpoint is in the wrong place, it should be at the other entrance. I have already had one lady phone me saying exactly that and a couple of other people have already raised similar concerns."

Coun Browne said there should at least be a security light because the cashpoint is stuck between a pub wall and the back of the supermarket.

Sainsbury's said they had no reports of any previous incidents and no plans to install CCTV or move the cashpoint.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which happened on Friday night at about 11pm.

They described the attackers as three Asian men, all about 5ft 2ins. One was aged about 20, with scruffy black hair, a moustache and slim build.

He was wearing a three-quarter length green jacket with a hood. The second man was also slim with scruffy black hair and was wearing a cream jacket. The third attacker was aged about 20 and wearing a dark baseball cap and dark three-quarter length jacket.

Anyone with information should call Darwen Police on 01254 701777 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.