AN opportunist thief who snatched a laptop from the counter of a Burnley off-licence, punched the shop assistant in the face when he tried to stop him.

The man, in his mid-20s, saw the assistant wrapping the £1,500 computer up as a present when he went into the off-licence in Colne Road to buy a can of drink.

He hung around outside the shop for a few minutes, then went back in and tried to snatch the laptop, which was in a cardboard box.

A tussle broke out between them for the box which ended with the man stepping back and punching the 20-year-old assistant in the face, while still holding the box, causing him to fall backwards on to a chair behind the counter.

The thief then ran out of the shop with the computer, which is a silver Compaq 2548.

The victim, who did not suffer any serious injuries, saw him running in Bright Street, then into a back street between Colne Road and Waterbarn Street in the direction of Barden Lane. He did not pursue him because he did not want to leave the shop unattended.

Police have released a description of the man, who they believe lives around the Colne Road area and will probably be known locally.

He is described as a white male, approximately 6ft tall, with black hair that was brushed forward, and was either greasy or had hair wax on it. He had a slightly chubby face with stubble, and was wearing blue tracksuit bottoms, with white stripes down the side, scruffy brown Rockport boots and a Burnley Football Club jacket.

DS Pete Simm said: "This was a violent offence and we are anxious to catch the man responsible. It is possible that he is local to the Colne Road area."

Anyone who recognises the description or has any information about the incident, which happened at about 11am on Tuesday can contact Burnley CID on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.