POLICE are hunting a knife-wielding attacker who left his victim with cuts after he grappled to fight him off.

Officers and dog-handlers were called to Upper Morin Road in Paignton after reports of a mugger demanding money and a mobile phone from a Paignton man at 11.30pm on Friday.

Dogs lost the attacker's scent when other pub-goers hit the streets after closing time, but police are keen to hear from any witnesses.

The incident happened when the victim, a 32-year-old man, left the Isaac Merritt pub and walked along Torquay Road to Lower Polsham Road.

Police say the victim, who was speaking to a friend on his mobile phone, was aware of a man walking behind him.

When the victim turned left into Mead Lane, his pursuer followed him.

They carried on to Morin Road, when the mugger overtook the victim. He then stopped, came back and attacked the man.

DC Robin Waymouth told the Herald Express: "The attacker said, 'give me your phone. Give me your wallet. Give me everything.'

"He then grabbed the aggrieved by the neck and they grappled. That's when the aggrieved saw a metal object glinting in the attacker's hand.

"They struggled further and the victim suffered cuts to the palm of his hand and other cuts below his thumb.

"The attacker then stepped back and said, 'Sorry, I thought you were someone else,' and ran off. We sent a dog unit to the site but they were unable to maintain the scent."

The mugger is described as between 18 and 22 years old, with dark hair which was short at the sides and back but spiky on top.

He was of slim build and wearing a camouflage blouson jacket.

A member of the public who overheard the attack has given a statement to police, and officers are examining CCTV footage from cameras in the surrounding area.

Anyone with information should contact 08452 777 444, quoting crime reference number FP/09/3645.