A Bristol teenager was attacked in broad daylight as he walked to his local supermarket.

The incident happened at about 3.30pm on Tuesday when the 17-year-old, who wants to remain anonymous, was walking with a group of three friends to the Co-op store in Downend, which used to be Somerfield.

The group had come off Downend Road and were on a side lane that leads to the car park when a man approached them asking for cigarettes and a phone.

When the teenager refused to give up his phone he was attacked and pushed to the ground.

The mother of the 17-year-old is now so concerned for his and others' safety that she is appealing for witnesses to come forward to help catch the attacker.

She said: "He was attacked to the end of the street, with the man grabbing his clothes to try and get his phone. He eventually managed to call the police. A younger member of the group was then so scared that he offered his phone to the man.

"It was such a scary experience for him to be pushed and attacked all the way along the alleyway. No one intervened but perhaps someone saw something and could come forward to give police information that will help catch the man."

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "As with any crime, if anyone has information they can call us on 0845 4567000 or call Crime- stoppers on 0800 555111."