A jogger was threatened at knife-point as he went for an evening run through Oxford.

The man was jogging along a path between Ferry Lane in Marston and Mesopotamia Walk at 8.15pm last night.

A would-be robber threatened him with a knife and demanded his belongings, but the man was empty-handed because he was out running.

The man fled without stealing anything.

It happened close to the spot where Japanese student Kentaro Ikeda, 26, suffered severe head injuries after he was hit around the head in a robbery in July.

Dc Iain Spencer said: "This is a nasty incident that has left the victim shaken.

"There are lots of people who use the alleyway as a short cut to get from and to the city centre.

"I am hoping that someone may have seen the incident or the man in the area and would urge anyone with any information to contact me."

Police described the would-be robber as white, aged in his 30s, between 5ft and 6ft tall with a drawn, gaunt face.

He had a long nose, was very thin and was wearing dark jogging bottoms.

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.