A terrified teenage flower seller flagged down a passing motorist for help after two youths threatened to "smash" his face in.

The 14-year-old, from Pitsea, was operating a flower stall on the Lower Dunton Road, Basildon, outside the Ford Dunton plant.

On Sunday afternoon, at around 3.15pm, two youngsters on a red, off-road motorbike, roared to a halt next to the victim and told him to give up his money or they would hurt him.

The horrified 14-year-old refused and they tried to punch him so he ran into the road and stopped a woman from Burnham who was driving past.

The would-be robbers, thought to be about 16 years old, fled on their bike in the direction of Langdon Hills while the motorist alerted police.

The youngster was able to give police a description of his attackers.

They were about 5ft 7in to 5ft 9in tall. One was wearing Adidas tracksuit bottoms and the other was wearing a striped hat. Neither teenager was wearing a helmet.

Police are hoping they may have been caught on CCTV cameras when they filled up with petrol at the nearby Toomey garage only moments before the attempted robbery.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, is asked to call DC Trevor Garrard at Laindon police on 01268 410101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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