TWO men were knocked unconscious in vicious robberies which took place just hours apart.

A 46-year-old man was walking along Pleasant Road, Southend, when he was approached by a gang of up to four men.

They punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious to the floor.

When he came round minutes later, he discovered his wallet, lighter, cigarettes and a set of keys were missing.

A can of beer he was carrying was also snatched.

The robbery took place at about 9.30pm on Tuesday, April 19.

The victim was unable to give the police an accurate description of the robbers.

Less than two hours later, at about 11.15pm, a 30-year-old man was sat on a bench in Southchurch Rectory Chase, Southend, when he was attacked from behind.

He had been counting his cash when he was smashed over the head.

The blow knocked him out.

When he regained conciousness, he noticed his wallet and cash had gone.

No arrests have been made.

Police are urging anyone with information about either incident to get in touch.

Despite the robberies happening on the same night, chief inspector Simon Anslow, district commander for Southend, does not believe they were carried out by the same person.

He said: "In the second incident, the man was sat counting his money in his wallet.

"We would urge people not to count money in public or display that they have large amounts of cash on them when there are people nearby.

"I am satisfied that these two robberies are not linked even though they happened on the same night and both victims were knocked out.

"There is nothing to suggest that these robberies are linked by geography or the description of the suspects in each case - one was a man and the other was a group of three or four men.

"If anyone saw or heard anything suspicious around these times then I would ask you to get in touch."

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted via crimestoppers-uk.org.