Hooded robbers held a knife to a man’s throat during a terrifying carjacking outside a pub in Leigh.

Rob Tii, 26, who lives Benfleet, was parked in a layby by The Elms pub in London Road with his female friend, when two men approached his Suzuki car.

One of the men leant through the window, pulled out a small Stanley knife and held it against the 26-year-old’s throat before the woman’s hair was grabbed and she was threatened with the blade too.

The robber then asked for Mr Tii’s wallet before forcing both occupants to get out of the car at about 12.45am on Sunday.

Chief Insp Simon Anslow, district commander for Southend, said: “The couple were parked in the layby in London Road to make a phone call when two white males approached the car and held what is described as a Stanley knife to the throat of the man still in the car.

“The knife was held to the right hand side of his neck and the suspect said ‘where’s your wallet?’ “The man suffered red marks to his throat and the lady was grabbed by her hair. The suspect held a knife to her as well and told her to hand over everything that she had, which she did.

“She handed over her handbag, which was searched and given back to her.

“They got them out of the car and then took it. It was last seen travelling down Blenheim Crescent.”

The black car was found dumped in Norwich Avenue, Southend, at about 8.30am later that day. The inside of the car had been ransacked and the windows were left wide open.

Police are now searching for the two thugs responsible. Both were white and aged between 20 and 30.

One of the men was about six foot tall, slim, and wore a hooded top, a black coat and jeans.

The knifeman was described as stocky, about 5ft 10ins tall, had dark hair and wore dark clothing.

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