ROBBERS left a pensioner for dead in a compost heap after attacking him for just £8.

Dennis Tierney lay outside in freezing temperatures for 18 hours before he was found.

Even a search by a police spotter plane failed to find the 70-year-old because the heat generated by the pile of rotting leaves, tree branches and grass cuttings fooled its sophisticated equipment.

Mr Tierney had been threatened with a knife and punched in the stomach during the daylight robbery by two thugs in a park.

The grandfather of two had been walking through Riverside Park in Bitterne Park, Southampton when he leant against a tree to catch his breath.

It was then he first saw two young men who he thought were coming to see if he was all right. Instead they pulled out a knife and demanded money and his mobile phone.

After being pushed towards the compost heap Mr Tierney handed over £8 in change.

He said: "I am not sure where the knife came from but they were swinging it around in front of me. I only had some change on me, no phone, so I gave them what I had.

"Next thing I felt this terrific pain in my stomach where one of them punched me. He really did hit me hard."

Mr Tierney, a retired printer, was hit with such force that he passed out. The next thing he remembers is waking up in the night on the compost heap surrounded by gardening waste.

"I just remember feeling so cold, I couldn't move. I looked up at the stars and thought this is it, I was sure I wasn't going to make it.

"I just hope these two are found before they do this to someone else. I only just made it - perhaps the next person won't be as lucky."

The police search failed to find Mr Tierney, who has suffered four heart attacks, but he was eventually found the following day by a dog walker who raised the alarm and reunited him with his family including his daughter Lynn, 41, and son Paul, 45.

Wife Maureen, who has been married to Mr Tierney for 46 years, said: "I couldn't believe he was still alive. They had left him for dead. It took three of us to walk him back to the car. There is no doubt they covered him and their tracks up with branches and things, I am just grateful he is still with us."

Mr Tierney was treated at Southampton General Hospital for hypothermia and has remained there for further tests.

Det Con Joe Stock urged the public to come forward with any information. He said: "It beggars belief that anyone could do this to a vulnerable member of society. The robbery squad will not rest until we have found who did this."

THE attack happened about 3.45pm on Wednesday and police are appealing for any witnesses who were in the popular park at the time to contact them.

Anyone with information can contact police on 0845 045 4545. or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.