A YOUNG man had his phone and cash stolen after he was punched in the face by two men during a terrifying attack.

The victim, a 20-year-old man, was using his mobile phone on Oxford Road when he was approached at around 2am on February 16.

The duo demanded that he hand over his phone and money before punching him several times. His face was left swollen with some bruising, but he did not need to go to hospital.

A 24-year-old man from Reading and another aged 22, of no fixed abode, have been arrested on suspicion of robbery. They have been released under investigation.

Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward and they would like to speak to a specific witness travelling in a white car, who pulled over to help the victim.

The phone has since been found and anyone with information is urged to call Thames Valley Police on 101.

Investigating officer Adam Tarrant, of Reading police station, said: "A man in a white-coloured car stopped to offer assistance to the victim, but we do not have his details and would like to speak to him as he may have witnessed what happened.

"There were also other people in the area at the time, so there may be more witnesses to the incident.

"We are appealing for them and anyone else with information about this incident to call police on 101, quoting reference 43180049393."