A TEENAGER who refused to hand over money to youths had both cheekbones broken when they punched him repeatedly in the face.

Stock controller Lee Firth was approaching the Co-op Late Shop in Ainsworth Road, Bury, at 1.15pm on Saturday (Sept 22) when he was stopped by two youths who demanded money.

The 19-year-old, pictured in the aftermath of the attack, refused and was dragged into a passageway behind the store, where he was hit several times.

Lee, from Elton, said: "They just started punching me and didn't seem to want to stop until I fell down.

"They had big sovereign rings on, which I could feel when they were hitting me."

As Lee collapsed, the youths ran off, without taking any money.

A passer-by helped Lee to his feet a few minutes later and took him home. He was later treated at Bury General for facial injuries.

Lee added: "I think the people that did this are cowards. It was totally unprovoked. I was just on my way to the shop."

Bury police are now looking for two Asian men in their early 20s, one of whom was possibly wearing a red top and blue Adidas track-suit bottoms.

Anyone with information should contact 856 8157.