A MIDDLE-AGED man needed nine staples to be inserted in a two-inch head wound caused by a brutal attack with a wine bottle at a Blackpool off-licence.

A group of seven or eight youths set on the 39-year-old man in the shop in Talbot Road, Blackpool, at 10pm on December 3. The incident concluded with the man being struck on the head with a bottle.

The main offender with the bottle is described as being 14 to 15 years of age and 5ft 2ins tall. He has a slender build and has short dark hair and was wearing a white sports jacket and white trousers.

A 40-year-old woman, who was with the group of youths, is described as 5ft 2ins in height and having short dark hair. She is of thin build and was wearing jeans. They were also possibly in the company of a 40-year-old man with grey to brown hair.