Would-be thieves tried to steal hundreds of pounds from a grandfather as he used a cash machine.

The man, aged in his eighties, was targeted by two Asian men as he was drawing out £300 from the Barclays ATM in Broadway Link, Pitsea.

A 23-year-old woman, who was parked nearby and did not want to be named, said she saw the man start arguing with one of the men before the second one tried to snatch the money from the machine.

Police confirmed the machine recalled the money before it could be stolen and the two men left.

She said: ”I could hear two people have a loud discussion, it sounded as if they were arguing. Then as I looked around, there was one man standing next to the cash point trying to take the money out and then he walked off.

“As one walked off, the other followed. When the man noticed what had gone on, he started shouting at the two men and they just ran away.

“They ran down the side of Pets at Home.” The woman, who works as a courier driver, said the man who tried to grab the money was dressed in a suit and was about 5ft 5in tall.

She said: “When I saw it, I didn’t quite know what was going on, but then I realised. It was quite scary. I want to warn people to be careful when using cash machines, don’t let anyone distract you.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating after thieves attempted to steal money being withdrawn from a cash machine.

“A man was withdrawing cash shortly after 2.35pm on Friday when he was approached by two men.

“One claimed the victim had dropped something on the floor and while he was distracted, the second man is thought to have tried to take the money as it was being dispensed from the machine.

“However, the man saw what was happening and the machine recalled the money before it could be taken.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Rachel Upton at Basildon police station on 101.