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

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

The 34-year-old had gone to help a man in his 60s who was in an argument with three men over a taxi, outside the Miner's Arms pub in Eston High Street.

The three men turned on the 34-year-old hitting and punching him to the floor.

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

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

The first male is described as approximately 6ft 3ins tall and of medium build. He had short dark hair and was wearing a green wax jacket. The second male was approximately 5ft 7ins tall, medium build with short dark hair and pale complexion.

The third male is again around 5ft 7ins tall, medium build with short fair hair.

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