Three teenage boys tried to steal a 17-year-old girl's handbag in an attempted robbery at a nature reserve.

Police are appealing for witnesses - including a couple who helped the girl - following the incident at Flexford Reserve, Chandlers Ford on Thursday.

Officers say the girl was walking toward the Flexford Reserve from the direction of Ramalley Cemetery.

As she crossed the footbridge above the railway line she was approached by three teenage boys, two of which took hold of her wrists while the third tried to take her bag.

The three teens were scared off by a couple walking their dogs. Nothing was taken and the girl was not injured.

Police want to speak to three boys who were seen in the area at the time.

The first boy is described as:

• Aged between 13 and 15-years-old

• White

• Around 5foot 3inches tall

• Of medium build

• Light brown hair

• Wearing a black Nike tracksuit with a Nike tick on the front and the hood up, white Nike trainers and a surgical mask.

The second boy is described as:

• Aged between 12 and 14-years-old

• 4foot 10inches tall

• Mixed race • Black hair

• Wearing a grey tracksuit with the hood up and a surgical mask.

The third boy is described as:

• Aged between 15 and 16-years-old

• 5foot 1inch tall

• White

• Of large build

• Wearing a black tracksuit with the hood up and a surgical mask.

A police spokesperson said: "We’re also keen to identify the couple who were out walking their dogs and helped the victim.

"They’re described as being aged between 50 and 70 with a black Labrador and a Golden Retriever.

"The man was wearing light coloured shorts and the woman was wearing a green flowing dress with flowers on it.

"We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen or heard anything or has dash cam or CCTV footage that may have captured the offenders."

If you have any information that may assist our enquiries please call 101 quoting 44210227415.