A DAD was slashed across the ear with a knife when he was approached by two men wielding weapons who tried to steal his cigarettes.

The victim, in his twenties, was walking along Gordon Road, in Basildon, with his young daughter when he was approached by two men, one with a knife and another brandishing a knuckleduster.

The duo threatened him and slashed at his face as they tried to rob him.

But the man managed to evade his attackers, with his daughter alongside him, and fight them off without handing over his belongings.

The attempted robbers then ran away empty-handed.

The victim, who has not been identified, posted an appeal for information on Facebook, asking residents if they knew of his attackers and to contact police.

He said the attempted robbery is something he would "never forget".

Fortunately he did not need hospital treatment.

He said: "Some lovely young guys thought they would try and rob me with a knife and knuckleduster but they took absolutely nothing.

"It happened in Gordon Road at 3pm. I had my little girl with me and one of them tried to stab me in the face, just slicing my ear.

"They were aged in their early twenties and there was a white guy and a mixed race guy with cornrows.

"Trying to stab me in my face in front of my little girl for the sake of some Mayfair Superkings is something I'll never forget."

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We were called just before 3.20pm on Thursday, April 28 with reports of an attempted robbery of a man in Gordon Road, Basildon.

"Two suspects attempted to steal cigarettes from the man and in the process caused injuries to his face by punching him.

"One suspect had a knife.

"They got away empty-handed."

No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.