A MIDDLE-AGED man was robbed at a nature reserve after being followed from a village bookmakers.

The 53-year-old was attacked at about 11am on Tuesday as he left Ladbrokes, in Coxhoe, near Durham City. The victim, who lives in nearby Quarrington Hill, said he became aware of two men following him from the area of Gatenby's store.

He turned right, opposite Gems Caf, and followed a track for 400 yards to Crowtree's nature reserve, where he was attacked.

DC Catherine Knox said the two assailants did not speak to the victim before they punched him and knocked him to the ground.

She added: "They held the victim down with his face in the gravel and ripped off one of his pockets to steal the money he was carrying."

The victim sustained injuries to his ribs and has cuts and bruising to his face, although he did not require immediate hospital treatment.

DC Knox said the victim was wearing navy corduroy trousers and a red shirt, and was carrying a brown leather bomber jacket.

One of the robbers was described as being white, but tanned and aged 18 years old. He was around 5ft 10ins tall and of athletic build.

He has a rounded face, with a piece of eyebrow cut out on his left side and dark brown hair shaven in zig zags to both sides. He was wearing a dark blue or black and white hooped rugby top and jeans.

The second man was white and around 5ft 9ins tall. He was thinner than his accomplice and had short mousey or brown hair and was wearing a brown/red zipped tracksuit.

DC Knox appealed to anyone who has any information about he incident to contact Durham City CID via the non-emergency number 0345 6060 365, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.