A 55-year-old man has been robbed at knifepoint in Braintree.

The man was approached by two men, one of whom asked him for a cigarette, between 5pm and 5.30pm on a footpath between Panfield Lane and St Peters Road on Thursday.

They then pulled out a knife and removed the victim’s satchel style bag from his shoulder.

They searched his jacket and removed his wallet and iPhone 5, before running off in the direction of Panfield Lane.

The first suspect is white, 6ft tall, around 25-years-old and of medium build. He wore a black puffa style coat and dark baseball cap.

The second was shorter at 5ft 5ins tall, also white, around 20-years-old and wore a dark yellow hooded top with the hood up.

The victim was uninjured.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information should contact police at Braintree on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.