A MOTHER was beaten by a thief who tried to steal her handbag.

The 27-year-old Asian woman was walking in an alley leading from Granville Road to Lancaster Place, Blackburn, at 7.10pm when two men came up from behind.

One pushed her forward, causing her to stumble, but she managed to grab on to a wall.

He said he had a knife and demanded her handbag, before punching her in the face.

The woman managed to keep hold of the bag and both men ran off.

She was left bruised with a severely swollen face and has since received treatment in Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The incident happened last Wednesday but police have only just released details.

The man who carried out the attack was described as white, 5ft 8in with a medium build.

He was wearing white trainers, dark tracksuit bottoms, a white hooded top covering his head and either a jumper of scarf covering his face.

The second man was white, about 5ft 8in, and slim.

He was wearing a black balaclava, a white tracksuit and white trainers.

DC Lisa Jeffery, of Blackburn CID, said: "The alley is near to a local mosque which is on Lancaster Place and I am particularly interested in speaking to anyone who was on their way to the mosque or who had either parked up in the area as they may have some information to assist with our investigation."

Anyone with information should contact police on 01254 353055 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.