A TEENAGER was left needing surgery after he was attacked with a meat cleaver and air gun in a town centre street.

The 18-year-old victim was walking along Wimbourne Road, Southend, when two robbers approached from behind and asked him the time before demanding his mobile phone.

The teenager refused and walked away but the robbers followed.

The victim then felt a sharp pain in the back of his leg which may have been from an air gun pellet, although police do not know for sure.

The victim then began grappling with one of the suspects and it is believed he was struck in the arm with the meat cleaver, leaving him with an injury that will require micro surgery as he has lost the use of three fingers in his left hand.

He also suffered a three-inch gash to his head which required nine staples at Southend Hospital.

The victim ran off towards Sutton Road while being chased by one of the robbers and found refuge in the nearby Guildford pub.

His attackers were last seen heading back down Wimbourne Road towards Bournemouth Park Road.

One of the robbers was described as white, about 5ft 6ins tall and aged between 15 and 16 years old.

He was of scrawny build, with a long face and pale complexion and was wearing a dark baseball cap, a dark hoodied top and dark grey tracksuit bottoms.

The other teenager was of black or mixed African race, was slightly taller than his accomplice, of similar age and of slim build.

He had a dark moustache that was not fully grown and wore a dark hoodied top with dark bottoms.

Anyone with information on the crime, which took place at 8pm, on Sunday, has been asked to contact DC Gavin Wiseman, at Southend CID, on 01702 431212.