A man had his face slashed with a knife in an alleyway after refusing to hand over his money and phone.

The incident happened at around 10am today in Clacton.

The victim, a man in his 40s and from Clacton, was walking in the alleyway between Magdalen Road and Lodge Close.

He was approached by two men who demanded he hand over his cash and phone. He refused and they slashed his face with a knife.

He was taken to a Colchester Hospital by ambulance, where he is receiving treatment for a facial injury.

Investigating officer Dc Phil Terry said: “This was a nasty assault. The victim did not have any property taken from him, but has had to go to hospital for treatment.

“We are not sure which way the suspects went after they assaulted the victim. I would urge anyone that has any information to contact Essex Police.”

The suspects are described as two men, one white and one black.

The white man was riding a mountain bike and the other man was wearing grey shorts, an off-white T-shirt with Nike on the front and was aged between 35-40.

Anyone that can help with any information about the assault, or if anybody saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area is asked to contact Dc Phil Terry on Essex Police 101.

People can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously with information on 0800 555 111.