TWO teenagers were robbed at knifepoint by a gang on mini motorbikes.

Wesley Hogan and Lewis Simpson, aged 16 and 15, were targeted by the robbers as they were walking along Folds Road in Farnworth at 7 pm on Saturday.

Three youths riding mini scrambler bikes sped up to the friends and threatened them with a knife while demanding they handed over cash and mobile phones.

Wesley's father, Chris Hogan, aged 46, said: "My lad was just walking down the road when these three stopped. One of them pulled out a knife and made the two of them hand over their phones. They were both very shaken up by it. They are only young and it must be a very scary experience to have a knife pointed at you.

"Once they start riding around illegally they get the idea that they are untouchable and that escalates into things like robbery. Unfortunately, at some point, somebody is going to say No' to them and then they may end up getting stabbed. It's very depressing."

A police spokesman confirmed the incident is being investigated.

Anyone found riding a bike on public land without tax, insurance and a licence could see their bike confiscated and destroyed after 21 days unless proof of ownership is provided.

If the bike owner does provide ownership documents, they will still have to pay a recovery fee of £105, plus an extra storage fee charge for every day it is in police custody.

Any witnesses to the attack should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 872 5050.