CCTV images of two teenagers on bicycles have been released by police investigating the robbery of an 82-year-old man.

The pictures were released following the attack on the man as he walked home along Barns Road in Cowley, Oxford, last month.

At about 10pm on Wednesday, October 11, he was knocked to the floor by two young men on cycles who had cycled up behind him and then rifled through his pockets and stole £40.

Liz Bye, a friend of the victim and landlady of the Nelson Pub in Between Towns Road, asked anyone who recognised the boys in the pictures to go to the police.

She and her staff were so shocked by the attack on their friend, who was left unhurt but shaken up and does not want to be identified, they had a whip-round for the victim.

She said: "I was absolutely disgusted. You just don't think about things like that happening.

"I think they should be ashamed of themselves. I bet they don't stop and think how they would feel if it had been their grandfather.

"I don't understand how they can do it. They must be cowards to pick on an 82-year-old man.

"Like me, the rest of the staff and the customers were absolutely devastated to think it had happened to one of our own and so close to home."

His attackers are thought to be in their teens.

Dick Evans, from Thames Valley Police's Oxford Robbery Team, said: "If you recognise the clothing or think you know who these two cyclists are then please contact me."

Anyone with information should call Dick Evans on 0845 8 505 505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.