Robbers punched and kicked a man as he waited for a taxi on Front Street in the early hours of Saturday.

Two men approached the 30-year-old Devonshire man and demanded money from him as he was sitting on steps between Level nightclub and The Beach at about 3.45 a.m.

When he refused, they beat him about the body and took his Blackberry cell phone, before he chased one of them along Front Street. Both escaped, leaving the victim complaining of pain and swelling to his body.

Police are appealing for information from several members of the public who were in the area at the time of the incident.

The suspects are described as dark skinned with short hair; one was wearing a white T-shirt and light coloured jeans while the other was wearing a green T-shirt and dark coloured jeans.

Witnesses should call the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295-0011.