AN angry mum is on the warpath after her 15-year-old son was given an unprovoked beating while playing in Millers Lane, Atherton, last week.

She has asked me, and I'm delighted to do so, to warn mothers not to let their children play in the area after her lad, who was visiting his grandma, went with his 11-years-old cousin for a bike ride.

The boys were near the waterfall bridge at the Squires Lane end when they were approached by a gang of about 10 on bikes heading for Higher Folds.

The riders stopped and for no reason she claims launched into her son, who had been taught not to retaliate, causing extensive bruising to his face.

The two cousins managed to get away, but the experience has frightened the boy to death, and she believes the experience will stay with him for a long time. He is not scared to go out on his bike.

For obvious reasons she does not want her son to be identified and who can blame her?

The incident has been reported to the police and I hope they find the cowardly culprits.

Funny how some lads are big toughies while in gang formation, they're not usually so brave on their own.