POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was chased by a gang of youths and assaulted in Burnley.

The 15-year-old victim was on his way back to work after his lunch break when the incident happened.

He was in Richard Street, near the Burnley League Club, when the gang started chasing him.

They caught up with him and he was punched by one of the offenders.

He got away again and was chased further down the road.

DS Derek Jones, from Burnley CID, said: "He was chased to a nearby street where he has been struck again a number of times and his head, at some stage, came into contact with a car window, which was smashed.

"As a result of the assault he sustained a serious cut to his head.

"He was detained over night at Burnley General Hospital, but is now recovering at home with his family."

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the Richard Street area at around 3pm on Saturday, December 20, and who witnessed any part of the chase or the assault, to contact them on 01282 472144.