POLICE are appealing for information after a woman had her diamond ring stolen during a street robbery.

Patrols were called to Wood Street in Prescot at around 6.30pm after a 23-year-old woman had been dragged into an alleyway near Manchester Road and was told by an attacker that he was armed with a knife.

He threatened her and demanded her ring before running off towards South and Central Avenues.

The offender is believed to have been wearing dark clothing with a dark coloured hat or hooded top and a scarf covering his face and spoke with a local accent.

Her handbag was found in the garden of a nearby property but the ring has not been recovered. It's described as a diamond solitaire ring with a claw setting in white gold.

Detective Sergeant Paul Speight, Kirkby CID, said: "This was a frightening ordeal which has left the victim really shaken up and upset.

"As well as being worth a substantial amount of money, the ring also has a great deal of sentimental value as it was bought for her by her dad.

"She is, understandably, desperate for its safe return and I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious around Wood Lane or Manchester Road on the evening in question to get in touch.

"I would also urge people or any local jewellers or pawnbrokers who may have been offered a similar ring for sale over the last few days to get in touch. It's quite distinctive, but to help people recognise it, we have released two pictures which I would ask people to have a good look at."

Anyone with information which could help detectives with their inquiries is asked to call the police non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.