A BLACKBURN man today told of his terror as he was targeted by hooded thugs in the early hours of the morning.

Andrew Donaldson had finished work and was making his way home to Glenluce Crescent when the two attackers struck, following him to the junction of North Road and Pringle Street and demanding money and his mobile phone.

The 29-year-old, who works as a barman at O'Neil's pub, said they told him they had a knife before throwing a pint glass at his head and kicking and punching him to the ground.

Mr Donaldson said: "I had gone to Tesco for my supper and when I came out I noticed two lads wearing hoods. I thought they were just young lads being young lads and that they should have been in bed at that time, but then I noticed them following me and I knew then they were coming for me.

"I kept on towards the junction at Pringle Street when I felt them right behind me.

"So I turned round and asked them what they wanted and told them to leave me alone. I started to phone the police and they said to hand over my money and my phone because they had a knife. I didn't see a knife but they threw a pint glass and it hit me on the head.

"They got my jacket over my head and I couldn't see. I was just trying to defend myself as best I could."

Fortunately the young thugs were disturbed and they made off empty-handed just minutes before the police arrived.

Mr Donaldson said he was now taking a different way home from work.

"I was lucky. It could have been a lot worse if someone hadn't disturbed them," he said. "If it was a woman or an old lady then God knows what might have happened."

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the assault, which took place at 3.40am on Saturday.

The attackers are described as white, aged between 15 and 18, both slim with dark hair and wearing hooded clothes.

Anyone with information should contact Blackburn Police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.