A man was robbed at knifepoint by a hooded attacker who forced him to hand over his mobile phone in a Shropshire village.

The teenager struck as the victim, who has not been named, was walking along a lane in Gobowen. He held up a Stanley-type knife in the incident at about 9.35pm on Tuesday.

Police said today the robbery had been a “frightening experience” for the 24-year-old victim, who was uninjured.

He was confronted by the youth as he walked along Twmpath Lane.

Detective Constable Paul Rogers, said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack and I am appealing for any information which might help in tracing the offender.”

He said the victim had walked through the grounds of Derwen College, coming out onto Twmpath Lane about 100 yards from the entrance to Meadowbrook Care Home.

Mr Rogers said: “He was heading in the direction of Oswestry and the Orthopaedic Hospital along Twmpath Lane and on coming to the brow of the railway bridge, he sees a youth walking towards him.

“As the youth comes up, he produced a Stanley-type knife, holding it up and demanding he hands over his mobile phone, which is a Blackberry 8800 curve model.”

The robber was last seen heading along Twmpath Lane towards the old A5, Whittington to Gobowen road. He is described as white, aged 16 to 18, about 5ft 9in, thin with gaunt features and high cheek bones.

He was wearing a black zipped sweatshirt with the hood up and dark trousers.

Mr Rogers added: “If anyone thinks they might have spotted this youth, or has information about his identity, I would urge them to contact Oswestry police station on 0300 333 3000.

“Details can also be given to the anonymous Crimestoppers number, 0800 555111, for which a reward may be paid.”

Shropshire councillor for Gobowen David Lloyd said the incident was “very worrying” and urged the public to help trace the attacker.

He said: “This is a very unusual incident in Gobowen and it is worrying that we are stooping to the levels of offending you would expect to find in the larger cities.”­

By Iain St John