A MAN was left with a head injury and a broken ankle which required surgery following a violent and unprovoked attack.

Police have only just released details of the incident, which happened on February 29.

The victim, aged 34, had gone to help a man in his sixties who was in an argument with three men over a taxi, outside the Miner's Arms pub, in Eston High Street, Teesside.

The three men turned on him, punching him until he fell to the ground.

PC Phil Price said: "This was a horrifying, brutal and sustained attack which was totally unprovoked.

"The victim sustained some very nasty injuries and was fortunate this did not have a more serious outcome."

One attacker was described as about 6ft 3in. He had short dark hair and wore a green waxed jacket. The second was about 5ft 7in with short, dark hair and a pale complexion. The third was about 5ft 7in, with short, fair hair.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Price on (01642) 301926.