A HAVE-A-GO grandad from South Stifford has seen off a pair of thugs who mugged his grandson.

Griffith Griffiths, 81, of Palmerston Road, bravely chased down the two yobs, who had threatened his grandson, Andrew, before stealing his bike and mobile phone.

Griffith said: "I didn't think anything of it, I just chased after them and they dropped the stolen items and cleared off.

"I wasn't scared at all, I was in the army during the war and have seen far worse than this."

Andrew, 15, had just left his grandparents house on Sunday afternoon with his friend Matthew, when the attack happened in the alleyway behind Palmerston Road.

Grandmother, Betty, 74, said: "We had just sat down and Andrew came to our back door shouting and screaming, saying he had been attacked.

"I was terrified, I'm disabled so I couldn't do anything, I told everyone that I was going to call the police and by the time I had come back Griffith had gone after them."

The two assailants were still in the alleyway when Griffith got out there but they had dropped the stolen items and fled before he could reach them.

Much to the relief of Grandma Betty, the Police arrived on the scene not long after and calmed the situation down.

She said: "The police were great it seemed no time at all before they were here. There are so many bad remarks made about the Police but they were brilliant to us.

A Police spokesperson said: "Although in this robbery the aggrieved managed to get away without having any items stolen and without injury, we would advise members of the public who do find themselves in this situation to remain calm and don't run the risk of getting hurt.

"Try to remember as much as you can about the robber/robbers and call the police as soon as you can."

The two muggers have been described as two males, around 17, one of whom was Asian.

If anyone has information regarding this robbery contact Grays Police on 01375 391212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.