Two men were brutally punched and kicked as they were robbed by a gang of thugs in High Wycombe in the early hours of Saturday (May 19) morning.

The 20 and 21-year-old victims were walking along Bellfield road when a woman, who was sat in the back seat of a vehicle by the Spindle and Thread pub, asked them for a lighter.

The pair told the woman they did not have a lighter and continued walking – however moments later they were attacked from behind by a gang of four or five men.

The robbers pushed one of the victims to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked him before stealing his mobile phone, leaving him with a black eye as well as cuts and bruises.

He was rushed to Wycombe General Hospital, however has since been discharged.

The second victim was punched in the head and was also left with cuts and bruises, however nothing was stolen from him.

The gang are described as a group of Asian men, possibly Middle Eastern, in their late teens or early twenties and were dressed in black clothes.

They were thought to be in a small red or black car.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rebecca Brydon of Local Area CID in High Wycombe, said: "This was an appalling attack on two men, one of which was left with nasty injuries.

"I am appealing for anyone who was in the vicinity of the Spindle and Thread pub at around 4:15am and saw the incident to make contact with the police."

Anyone with information relating to this case is asked to call 101 quoting reference '43180150968', or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.