A YOUNG man was left terrified after being hounded by two robbers who attacked him as he walked home in York.

The muggers dragged their victim off the street and into allotments, and chased him as he tried to escape their clutches.

It was only when the fleeing man's desperate cries for help were heard by a householder that the pair gave up their chase.

The 19-year-old victim was left with minor cuts and bruises.

Police today appealed for the public's help in catching the two men.

The young man was walking home along Hempland Lane in Heworth, York, at around 7pm when the attack began.

The muggers approached him then dragged him into Heworth allotments, by the side of Heworth Beck, where they attacked him.

When the teenager tried to escape and ran off towards the back of Burnholme Avenue, the two men pursued him.

It was only when he reached the back garden of a house in Burnholme Avenue that he escaped.

His cries for help attracted the attention of the householder, and the two men ran off.

They escaped with his bag and some money.

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York Police, said: "This was an unusually frightening crime."

Police have issued descriptions of the attackers.

The first man is described as between 5ft 10in and 6ft tall, heavily built with rounded shoulders and in his early 20s. He was wearing cream trousers, a cream pullover with a hood and dark footwear.

The second is described as 6ft to 6ft 2in, slim and in his early 20s. He had a narrow face and his nose had a slight bump on the right side. He had brown eyes and wearing black tracksuit bottoms, possibly Adidas, a black jacket with the hood up and trainers.

Anyone with information should phone 01904 631321.

Updated: 14:26 Thursday, December 20, 2001