POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an attempted robbery in which a man was assaulted.

A man broke into a house on Brierfield Close, Barnsley, by throwing a brick through a downstairs window at around 3am on March 29 before reaching through and unlocking the door.

The occupant of the house, a 64-year-old man, went downstairs on hearing the noise and confronted the offender, who then assaulted him by punching and kicking him.

The man demanded cash from the victim before conducting a brief search of the house and leaving empty-handed.

He is described as being nearly six feet tall and of a large build. It is reported he was wearing a white clown mask, a brown three-quarter length jacket and dark trousers

If you can help, all 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 quoting incident number 97 of March 30.