TWO robbers held a man by the neck and pinned against a fence as they robbed him of his phone.

The victim was walking along Arlen Road, The Haulgh, when he was approached from behind by two men.

One of the muggers stood in front of the victim and demanded his phone.

The man refused and was grabbed by the second robber, who wrapped his right arm around the man’s neck from behind.

The victim was then forced into a wooden fence by the first attacker, who grabbed his clothes while the second man searched his pockets and stole a mobile phone, wallet and wristwatch.

The pair threatened the victim with violence before fleeing in the direction of Bromwich Street, The Haulgh, at 7.35am on Friday.

One was white, in his early 20s, between 6ft and 6ft 2ins tall, slim, with shaved hair, a skinny face and spoke with a local accent.

He was wearing a black North Face jacket with black woolly gloves and dark grey jogging pants.

The second attacker was white, about 5ft 8ins tall, slim, with short, dark hair.

He was wearing a black top with the hood up.

Det Insp Charlotte Cadden, from Bolton North Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was a frightening ordeal for the victim.

“This incident took place near a busy road when people will have been going to work.

“I urge people to think back to Friday morning and whether they saw anyone in that area matching the descriptions of the suspects.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 8565761 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.