TWO thugs held a knife against a man and stole his designer watch worth £2,500 during a terrifying robbery.

The 32-year-old man was walking home from the gym in Perry Street, Billericay, when two men grabbed him from behind.

One of the men asked him for a cigarette and when he said he didn’t have any on him, they brandished a knife and demanded he hand over his wallet and mobile phone.

When the victim explained he didn’t have any money or a phone on him, he offered to give the attackers his white metal Tag Heuer watch.

They then ran off in the direction of a nearby park with the watch.

Sgt Angie Torrance, from Basildon police, said: “The two men had a torch and one of them was threatening him with a pocket pen knife, which had a three to four-inch blade.

“The first man, who was carrying the knife, was described as white, about 4ft8ins tall and of medium build. He was wearing a blue tracksuit, white trainers with a dark ski jacket and a hoody.

“The second man was white, six foot tall and of medium build. He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood pulled up and he had a full beard.”

The robbery happened shortly after 10pm on Tuesday. Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111