POLICE are hunting three schoolboys who were fought off by a 70-year-old man after they tried to rob him on a Watchet footpath.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesman said that the boys, believed to be about 14, demanded money after claiming they had a knife: “The man was able to fight them off and they ran away.”

The incident, on the footpath between Maglands Road and Liddymore Road, took place between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Saturday, February 3, and police are appealing for help in tracing the boys.

After the attack, one ran towards Maglands Road. He is described as a white male between 5ft 4ins and 5ft 6ins tall, wearing a dark hooded top with the hood pulled up.

The other two boys, also described as white and of similar height, ran into Liddymore Road and turned right at the Spar shop.

One wore a scarf and the other a dark-coloured coat with the collar turned up. All were of slim build.

Police are appealing to anyone who thinks they may know the boys, witnessed the incident or has any information to call 101and quote reference 5218025914.