A GANG of teenagers brandishing metal bars brutally attacked a group of friends in Morton Stanley Park.

Police are appealing for information following the "nasty incident" in the Windmill Drive end of the park on October 19 between 6.30 and 7pm.

A 15-year-old boy was with his three friends in the play enclosure when three other male teenagers, all carrying metal bars, approached them.

One of the gang, a 16-year-old, spoke to the boy and then hit him in the face with the metal bar.

He did the same to one of the other friends before returning to the first boy, held the bar to his throat and then hit him again.

The all-male gang then left the park, driving off in a small dark-coloured car.

The main offender was wearing a dark tracksuit and the two other gang members were slightly older.

Pc Rebecca Brooks said: "This was a nasty incident but fortunately the lad's injuries were only slight, with cuts and bruising on his face from the metal bar."

She said they would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the gang, but particularly a woman who approached the group shortly after the incident.

"We also want to hear from anyone who can help us identify this group of offenders. They all carried a metal bar of various lengths, possibly some scaffolding, and would have come from the car park at Morton Stanley."

Anyone with information can call police on 08457 444888 or Crimestop-pers on 0800 555111.