POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was knocked unconscious in Evesham last week.

A couple were walking along Port Street towards Evesham town centre at about 1.45am on Thursday, August 22 when they passed a group of between five and seven men and women walking in the opposite direction, who then turned and followed them past the junction of Burford Road.

One of the men in the group challenged the couple, saying “Say it to my face” to the man, before headbutting him, knocking him unconscious, and kicking and punching him while he was on the floor.

Once the first man backed off a second man assaulted him while he was still on the floor before the group made off towards Elm Road and Broadway Road.

The first man was described as mixed race, in his early 20s, six foot tall and had shaven black hair. He was wearing a grey, purple and green tracksuit.

The second man was white, a little taller, of slight build, and also had shaven brown hair. He was wearing a light-coloured tracksuit with coloured trim on the arms and legs.

PC Howard Latham is investigating the attack and said: “It appears the assailant may have misheard something, but a misunderstanding is no excuse for launching such a violent assault

“Both men assaulted the victim while he lay unconscious and defenceless on the floor.

“If anyone recognises the description of the attackers or saw the assault on Port Street in the early hours of Thursday morning, please contact us.”

Anyone with any information can contact West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident number 0039S 22/08/13 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.