A TRAIN conductor was left "badly shaken" after two teenage hoodies' ripped off his tie and pushed him during a dispute over their fare.

British Transport have launched an appeal to catch the duo, who escaped from the train as it pulled into Rishton station at around 5pm on Tuesday.

The culprits had boarded the 1600 Colne to Blackpool South train at Burnley Central and purchased a ticket to Accrington - both stating they were 16 - which means they were charged the full fare.

But the pair were challenged by the conductor, who has not been named, when he realised they had remained on the train after it left Accrington.

When quizzed, the Asian boys claimed they should have been charged a concessionary rate and would not be getting off until Blackburn.

A row occured and police said the conductor was assaulted when the train arrived in Rishton.

PC Keith Holmes of British Transport Police at Preston said: "The conductor said the two male youths would have to get off at Rishton, the next stop, as they had only paid until Accrington.

"One of them pushed him fairly hard in the back and while he was pushed the other pulled off the conductor's clip on tie.

"They then ran off pulling their hoodies over their heads and, despite a search by local police, they were not found."

Launching the witness appeal he said: "They both claimed to be 16 and were wearing a shalwar kameez - a traditional white Asian tunic with baggy bottoms, over a hooded top - and we are appealing for witnesses to get in touch."

Anyone with information should contact the British Transport Police's witness line on 0800 405040 quoting reference 444,29/8.