Two youths tried to rob a schoolboy of his Staffordshire bull terrier at knifepoint in Bexhill.

The teenagers stopped a 15-year-old in Bedford Avenue and demanded he hand over the dog.

One pointed a Stanley knife at his chest.

He handed over his mobile phone and told them he had no money.

The robbers ran off towards Cantelupe Road after the attack at about 4pm on Thursday.

The first youth was white, about 5ft 10in, 17 or 18, of medium build with brown eyes.

He spoke with a deep voice and used slang.

He was wearing a waist-length black hooded waterproof jacket with a zip up front and red logo on the left breast and black jogging bottoms with cuffed ankles and white and yellow Air Max 90s brand trainers.

The second youth is described as white, about 5ft 10in, also 17 or 18, stocky, with blue eyes.

He was wearing a grey and black hooded jumper with a zip-up front and grey jogging bottoms.

He had blond hair but wore his hood up.

Detective Constable Mark Waugham said: "This was a rare and isolated incident.

"The victim and his dog were unhurt but we are appealing for witnesses."

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999, quoting serial 1004 of January 20.