A 10-YEAR-OLD robber and his two young accomplices got more than they bargained for when one of their victims attacked them with a Christmas tree.

The young thugs had already robbed three children when they decided to pick on a woman who was walking along Chelsea Road, Lever Edge, with a toddler.

But the babyfaced robbers soon realised they had taken on more than they could handle when the woman fought back with the Christmas tree she was carrying. The boys, one aged 10 and two aged 12, fled .

Details of the incident emerged when the boys were arrested in connection with other crimes and confessed to the attempted robbery of the woman, even though it had not been reported.

Detective Constable Dave Rawsthorne said: "We are very keen to trace the victim as she may have information which could be significant in bringing these individuals to justice. These boys have made a full admission to the crime and this woman will not have to go to court, but we need a statement from her before we can charge them."

The woman is described as being aged between 30 and 40 and was wearing a cardigan.

The attempted robbery took place at about 5.30pm on Tuesday, December 5.

One of the boys pulled a knife on the woman as she walked along the street.

She told them to leave her alone and tried to walk on.

After a second boy produced a knife, the woman hit them with the Christmas tree.

A third boy then tried to set a dog on the woman, before all three youths fled.

Police arrested the boys for a string of separate robberies in the Higher Swan Lane area later that day.

Anybody with information is asked to contact the Robbery Unit on 0161 856 5645.