A COUPLE were attacked and robbed by two strangers after leaving the pub in Taunton in the early hours.

One of the offenders grabbed a backpack on the man's back, causing him and the woman to turn to face the two attackers.

The male victim then fell to the ground, upon which both assailants kicked him in the torso.

The woman attempted to intervene and during the ensuing tussle, her handbag, containing her purse, was stolen.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident at the end of Wood Street after the couple had left the Coal Orchard, on Bridge Street, at about ten minutes after midnight on the morning of last Friday (May 10).

The victims say one of the suspects was holding a knife-shaped object.

The offenders both ran off towards to the direction of the Coal Orchard pub before they were lost to sight.

Police are appealing for anyone in the area at the time who saw anything or who may have information that can help their investigation, to call 101 and quote reference number 5219102380.