A PIZZA delivery driver robbed at knifepoint managed to grab the weapon from his assailant.

The man foiled the robber’s bid to steal his takings but his mobile phone was stolen.

He was shaken but unhurt after the incident in Hetton-le-Hole, near Sunderland, at 10.30pm on Wednesday, August 13.

The 32-year-old driver was parked on Market Street when the masked robber came up to his vehicle on a bike.

The knife-wielding offender demanded cash but the driver took the knife off him. The robber escaped with the phone.

The robber is white, aged about 30 and muscular.

He was wearing dark grey bottoms, a dark grey hoody and a black and white checked scarf over his face.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Enquiries are continuing today and police are keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone with information.

“People can contact police on 101, extension 69191, quoting log number 1322 13/08/14, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”