Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted by a gang of hooded youths in Banbury.

A man and a woman who are both in their twenties, were walking past Wood Green Leisure Centre and as they turned into Park Road they saw a group of about ten in the park area outside the centre.

The pair were approached by a group of three of the youths who attempted engage them in conversation. The man and woman kept walking along Park Road and as they turned into Queen's Road the man was assaulted.

He was hit by all three attackers with weapons around the head, torso and legs that has left him with a head injury and bruising, for which he received treatment at the Horton General.

The attack happened at about 2.30am last Thursday, but details were only released today.

The three youths were all white, about 6ft tall, and were wearing hooded tops with their hoods up.

PC Adey Lines, of Banbury police, said: "This was a completely unprovoked attacked and could easily have left the victim with far more serious injuries.

"We are unsure exactly what weapons his attackers used, but the injuries he received were from blunt instruments, possibly piece of wood.

"If anyone was in the area of the leisure centre between 2am and 2.30am - perhaps driving along Park Road - and saw this group at the leisure centre or the assault on the junction of Queens Road and Park Road, then please get in touch."

PC Lines can be contacted via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don't want to talk to police and don't want to leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.