A cyclist who narrowly avoided being mugged by knife-wielding thugs in Ashford is warning people who live near Victoria Park to be careful as the near miss has left him shaken up.

Oliver Hamilton was cycling home from work through Victoria Park just after 4pm when he came across two men near Gasworks Lane.

He said both were holding glass bottles which one of the men smashed to the floor in an attempt to puncture his tyre and stop him.

Mr Hamilton managed to swerve the glass and get away but was then approached by a third man near the junction with Sackville Crescent, on Monday.

The 19-year-old gardener said: "Maybe 20 metres away there was another man and he started running at me.

"As he got closer he pulled a knife out of his pocket and started sprinting at me so I just peddled as fast as I could around him.

"I don't doubt they would have taken my bike, my bag and my wallet if they had the chance."

After the terrifying ordeal, Mr Hamilton is sharing his story to warn others who use the route to be vigilant

He added: "I always cycle that way and I don't really think much of it but when that happened it shook me up a little bit.

"I know kids cycle that way on their way home from school, and mums with small kids walk by, and it was around school finish time so I want people to be careful.

"I got super lucky because I was able to get away but I'm worried there won't be people as lucky as me next time.

"Even if I could stop one or two people from going down there, I’ll be happy."

Kent Police confirmed it is investigating the incident.

Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing and anyone with any information is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/243629/21 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or by using the anonymous online form on their website.