FOLLOWING two reported robberies in the city this month, a 48-year-old Worcester man believes he may have had a lucky escape.

Stephen Webb, of Cherry Orchard, felt threatened by two men he encountered at a public toilet in the basement of the car park behind the former Giffard Hotel opposite the Cathedral.

Laden with bags after a shopping trip on Friday morning, he was heading for the staircase from Cathedral Plaza at 10.45am when he noticed the first man standing by the entrance.

"He looked at me as I went past.

"Then, at the bottom of the stairs, a man coming towards me did a complete turn and went back into the toilets," said Mr Webb.

"When I went in, he was standing by one of the basins. I put two of my bags down and hesitated, because I felt suspicious.

"Then the door opened and the guy I had seen at the top of the stairs came in and stood behind me in the corner near my bags.

"I didn't wait to see what would happen. I just picked up my bags, grabbed the handle of the door and walked out."

Mr Webb reported the incident to Worcester police, describing the first man as short, with a cream-coloured cap and the second as wearing sunglasses and a cap.

"My advice to other people is not to use public toilets in Worcester.

"Once you are in there, you are very vulnerable," he said.

Worcester police would like to hear from anyone who saw either of these men.

Spokesman Richard Bull confirmed there had been a robbery in the Cornmarket toilets on Thursday, October 7, when £155 was stolen and another on the canal towpath at Lowesmoor on Monday, October 11, when a wallet was taken.

In each case it was 10.45am and two men were involved, but the incidents did not appear to be linked.