A Blackburn man who had his clothes confiscated by police is still waiting for them to be returned four months later.

Leonard Whittaker was forced to walk home in the snow in a blue "boiler suit" after being released on bail by officers probing assault allegations in March.

But even though he was cleared of any offence four weeks ago, there is still no sign of his clothes a jacket, body warmer, pants and boots, which he says are worth £160.

Police said the clothes were taken for forensic tests as part of their inquiries but there had been a delay in returning them because the department was busy.

Leonard, 58, of Devonshire Hotel, Bridge Street, Blackburn, was arrested on Thursday March 2 on suspicion of assault.

He was bailed from Blackburn's Greenbank police station for further inquiries and recalled: "All I remember is that it was snowing and I had to walk home in a blue boiler suit because they wouldn't release my clothes."

Leonard has been a regular visitor at the Railway Road police station since he was released from his bail without charge on June 22 and said he had been promised his clothes on July 10, 17 and 24.

He had been informed his clothing would be available for collection on Monday but when he visited Railway Road police station in Blackburn yesterday they were still not there.

He said: "I just want my clothes back. I can't see what the big issue is. I'm not giving up, why do I have to wait?

"I wouldn't mind if I was a bank robber or murderer but I'm not. I'm a victim not a criminal. I'm getting a raw deal."

A police spokesperson said: "Mr Whittaker was arrested in connection with a serious assault in March 2006.

"It was necessary to take his clothes at this point for forensic testing in connection with the incident.

"When Mr Whittaker was released with no further action, we requested for his clothes to be returned to the police from the forensic science service but they have been very busy.

"I understand that Mr Whittaker's clothes have now been returned to the police station and are available to be collected from the police station."

Simon Banfield, property officer at Greenbank Police Station, Blackburn, said: "I rang forensics myself on behalf of Mr Whittaker after they promised to return his clothes when we last contacted them.

"I have recieved then and have arranged for them to be delivered to the station on Railway Road but they have to be collected from Greenbank."