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Police are looking for information after a woman was punched in the face during an attempted robbery in Avenham Park.

The 21-year-old had entered the park by the main road from Ribblesdale Place and was talking on her phone, at around 8.20pm on Wednesday.

As she walked she was approached by three men. One of the men punched her in the face and knocked her to the ground, according to Lancashire Police.

The men took the mobile phone, a Samsung, from the victim but gave it back after examining it.

Detective Sergeant Martin Pearson from Preston CID said: “Fortunately she was not badly injured but has been left very shaken.

“An investigation is underway but I’d appeal for anyone who was in the park at the time of this offence to contact police on 101 if they saw or heard anything that may be able to assist with our investigation.”

All three men are described as being white and aged 19 – 23 years old. The first man was around 5ft11, skinny build and had short, shaven brown hair. He was wearing a dark coloured tracksuit and spoke with a local accent.

The second man was also a slim build but shorter around 5ft7 – 5ft8 but had slightly longer hair. He was also wearing a dark tracksuit and the third offender is described as being a similar description to the second man.

People with information can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.