A MAN has undergone surgery to a wound to his upper lip after it was sliced open in an unprovoked attack.

A police spokesman said the 59-year-old victim had left Pumphrey's Bar to walk along Pudding Chare and down towards the Central Station, in Newcastle, when the attack happened at 4.14pm on Monday.

As he walked through the Bigg Market, he was attacked from behind by what was believed to have been three men, one of whom was carrying some sort of weapon which was used used to slice through his upper lip.

The injured man then took a taxi from the scene back to his home in the Blaydon area. The victim also suffered severe bruising to his head and face.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact Newcastle Central CID on 0191-214 6555, extension 62144.