Detectives are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in which four men launched on attack on their victim as he walked through Egerton Park.

Officers are investigating the incident, which happened on Wednesday, July 11, between 6.15pm and 6.30pm.

The victim, a 24-year-old man, was walking along Bedford Road, Rock Ferry, when he became aware of a man standing outside the Bedford pub trying to sell a watch.

The man approached the victim and asked if he wanted to buy the watch. The victim declined and carried on walking.

He turned onto Old Chester Road and through the gate into Egerton Park where the man then asked if he had any change.

When he said he didn't, another man joined them and both assaulted him.

The two thugs were joined by two other men, one of whom stole the victim's black iphone and a black wallet containing store cards cash.

The four men then ran off in the direction of Old Chester Road.

The victim needed hospital treatment for cuts to his knee, right elbow, left eyebrow and nose. The thugs are described as follows:

• Thug one - white, around 5ft 8in, in his mid-20s, clean shaven with short, mousey brown hair and spoke with a Liverpool accent. He was wearing dark clothing with red stitching to the shoulder.

• Thug two - white, also in his mid-20s, slim build with short shaven hair. He was wearing a white top with beige trousers.

• Thug three - white, in his mid 20's and was wearing dark clothing with a blue stripe.

There is no description of the fourth. Officers have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries, searching for CCTV and patrols have been stepped up in the area.

Detectives are appealing to anyone with any information about the incident, or the man asking for change and trying to sell the watch, to contact them in case they have any information that could help the investigation.

Detective Sergeant Katie Roberts of Wirral CID said: "This was a nasty incident that has left the victim badly shaken.

"We urge anyone with any information that might help us to identify those responsible to contact us so we can take action against them.

"Merseyside Police takes incidents of this nature extremely seriously and will act on all information that we receive."

Anyone with any information should call Wirral CID on 0151 777 2265 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.