Police are appealing for witnesses to an attempted robbery in which the victim was repeatedly struck with a metal bar.

The incident happened at around 4pm yesterday when a 27-year-old man from Shipley was about to board the 645 bus to Buttershaw from Otley Road, Bradford.

Police say he was hit with an object, believed to be a metal bar, that knocked him to the ground.

The assailant demanded the bag and continued to strike the man but he hung on to his property.

The would-be robber then ran off empty-handed up a nearby footpath towards Barkerend.

Members of the public helped the victim to his feet and called for an ambulance.

He was treated in hospital for a head injury and then discharged.

The suspect is described as Asian, or of mixed race. He is over six feet tall, of medium build and speaks with a local accent.

He was wearing a white or cream hooded top pulled up tightly around his face and trousers that might have been tracksuit bottoms or jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.