POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was seriously injured in an unprovoked attack in a Wakefield park.

Wakefield District CID would like to speak to anyone who saw or has information about the incident involving four males in Thornes Park, on Wednesday 17 February.

It took place between 5.15pm and 5.30pm after the 30-year-old male victim and his wife came across a group of four males on bicycles while walking in the park.

As they passed, one of the group shouted at the victim, who continued walking.

A few seconds later, he was assaulted from behind and from the side and sustained a serious facial injury, which required hospital treatment and surgery.

The males made off from the scene.

One suspect was described as white, aged 12 to 13, slim and wearing a black baseball cap, dark jogging bottoms and a black scarf. He was riding a black pedal bike.

Another was white, aged 12 to 13 and slim with long "dirty coloured" blonde hair, police say, wearing dark coloured jogging bottoms and a baseball cap.

A third male was white, aged 12 to 13, described as chubby and as shorter than the rest of the group by police. He was wearing a light blue baseball cap and grey jogging bottoms.

The final male was described as aged 12 to 13 and slim.

Anyone who saw the males in the park just before or after the assault, or can assist police is asked to contact Wakefield District CID on 101, referencing crime number 13210083423, or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat.

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.