An elderly garage owner beaten in a brutal daylight robbery in rural north Norfolk was also the victim of a violent assault less than two years ago.

The latest attack has caused shock and outrage, and is said to have left the 78-year-old victim 'very frightened'.

Yesterday at about 5.45amthe popular business owner was pulled to the floor, kicked in the back and punched in the face by two females who lay in wait for him when he arrived to open up at Alby Service Station on the A140, between Cromer and Aylsham.

The pair, dressed in black and with their heads covered, stole his bag and ran off in the Aylsham direction.

The man, known to friends as 'Ab', did not need hospital treatment and stayed at the garage to help CID officers.

The garage was sealed off for many hours while police enquiries continued.

Police have confirmed that in September 2014, the same man had liquid sprayed in his face by two males who came up behind him and stole his rucksack as he walked to his car at about 5.25am.

That incident, in North Walsham, is understood to have taken place near the man's home.

In a Facebook posting Aylsham businessman Paul Matthews called on everyone: 'to try and help catch the two gutless creatures who attacked a dear friend of mine.'

Mr Matthews added: 'there were plenty of cars on the road at this time so somebody must have seen something.

'Ab is now a very frightened man, he is 78 years old and probably works more hours than most of us and surely didn't deserve this.

'Please help by sharing this and maybe we can help catch these animals.'

According to Mr Matthews, the stolen bag had only contained Ab's packed lunch.

In the 2014 incident the rucksack had contained cash, ID documents and other cards and papers. The liquid did not cause him any harm.

A spokesman for Norfolk Police said: 'We have got to look at the possibility of a link between these two incidents but it's impossible to tell if there is one at this stage.'

Brothers Henry and David West used to own Alby Service Station until they sold it to 'Ab' about five or six years ago.

The pair now own the Downtides Centre next door, which includes a number of businesses.

'We had a number of break-ins in the middle of the night when stock was taken but never anything like this, although it was always a concern because it's such a rural location,' said Henry West.

'It's a very bad thing to happen. He's a very hard worker and has tried to make it nicer.'

Barry Fitzpatrick, chairman of Alby with Thwaite Parish Council, said: 'As a parish we are deeply shocked. This sort of crime is unheard of in our neighbourhood.

'Hopefully the victim will recover quickly and the culprits will be caught.'

Mr Fitzpatrick said the service station included a shop and, until about a year ago, had also been a Post Office.

'It's a valuable part of our community and the owner has always been well-respected,' he added.

Police have issued a description of the two females wanted in connection with yesterday's robbery.

One was of heavy build and wearing dark clothing and a hoodie. The other was of slim build and wearing a dark hoodie with a New York design on the front and dark trousers.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Kevin Maskell at Yarmouth CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.