A  HOODED gang of armed men robbed two teenagers in Colchester at gunpoint.

Detectives are appealing for information after five men got out of a car on Distillery Lane, Colchester, at about 3am this morning.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "The two 18-year-old men had been walking along when the occupants of a parked silver car got out.

"One then threatened them with a black handgun.

"They handed over their mobile telephones and wallets.

"The five assailants returned to the car and it was driven off."

Det Con Adele Brown, who is leading the investigation, said: "We examined CCTV footage and it appears this car was driven into and out of Distillery Lane from the Tesco side.

"We are looking to speak with any taxi drivers or people who were working in the area between 3 to 3:30am on Tuesday morning and who saw any unusual activity on Distillery Lane or a car being driven around the area with five young men inside.

"These two young victims are very shaken up and taking in what happened to them.

"We want to offer them reassurance by taking this group of people off the streets, but need assistance to do so.”

The attackers are all white, in their early 20s and were wearing hoodies.

One man had shaved, ginger hair while another has an eyebrow pierced with a silver bar.

Both young men were pushed around but neither were hurt.

They had been at a friend’s house during the evening and had been walking back to their homes nearby at the time.

Anyone with information in connection with this robbery is urged to contact detectives at Colchester police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.