A 60-year-old man was attacked after protecting customers from robbers.

The man's walking stick was kicked away and his wallet stolen from his jacket pocket on Stockton High Street, last Saturday, at about 7pm.

He had first alerted and escorted a woman safely onto a bus when she used the same Lloyds Bank cash machine, because he was suspicious of a couple sitting at a bus stop watching cash machine customers.

He then used the machine himself and placed the cash in his trouser pocket before putting the empty wallet in his jacket as a decoy in case he was mugged.

The unnamed man was unhurt, but shocked. A taxi driver helped him to his feet.

There is no description of the robber. But police want to talk to the young couple at the bus stop.

The lad was aged 14, scruffy, thin, with shoulder-length mousy brown hair and wore an orange T-shirt and faded blue jeans with patches.

The girl was aged 13 to 16, thin and had short ginger or blonde hair. She wore plum coloured trousers jumper tied round her waist.

Witnesses are asked to contact PC Liz Close of Cleveland Police (01642) 302226.