POLICE are investigating an unprovoked attack on a newsagent who was delivering papers on Easter Monday.
Sadek Patel was doing his usual morning round at about 7am when he was assaulted in Gillies Street, Accrington.
Mr Patel says a man in his 20s ran at him and shouted a racist insult before striking him in the face.
As he ran back to his nearby shop the offender picked up a branch from the ground and he and an accomplice began chasing him.
Mr Patel reached the shop on Plantation Street before he was attacked again.
He locked the door and called 999 and the the two attackers then ran off up the street.
The police arrived and drove around trying to find the offenders but were unsuccessful.
Mr Patel, who is 27 and has owned his newsagents for about 18 months, said: 'I do not feel very good about doing the round on my own now and a friend has been coming with me.
"This is the first time anything like this has happened. Most of the people in the area are quite friendly."
Mr Patel is also concerned for the safety of his wife and two young children, who are just three and nine months, and has been asking family members to sit with them when he has to leave the shop.
Witnessess have given descriptions of the attackers to the police.
The man who struck Mr Patel is described as white, about 5ft 6in tall, between 20 and 25 years old and thick-set with dark hair and clothing.
Sergeant Allen Davies, of Accrington Police, said investigations into the incident were ongoing and he urged anyone with information to come forward.
He said: "If anyone has any knowledge of these incidents they should contact the police so we can take immediate action."
Anyone with information should call Accrington Police on 0845 125 3545 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
