A man was attacked and beaten around the head after he had left a Ludlow restaurant with three other diners.

The victim, who was in his 40s, was left with cuts and bruises after he was assaulted, police said today.

Police said the man had just left the Parkway restaurant just before midnight on Saturday when the incident happened.

The diners were walking towards Corve Street when they were accosted by four men.

The man who was injured did not need hospital treatment.

Police said one of the attackers had attacked a diner from behind during the incident.

One of his friends was also targeted by the gang when he tried to calm down the situation.

Constable Chris Young, the investigating officer for West Mercia Police, said today: “The male at the front of this group was accosted by four men in the street who became verbally abusive.

“This gent was then attacked from behind by one of the men and when one of his friends attempted to calm things down, he was attacked by all four males.”

Constable Young said he was anxious to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or had information about the identity of the offenders.

He added: “This was an unprovoked attack and I would appeal for any details which might assist in tracing these men.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call officers dealing with the case on 0300 333 3000.

Alternatively, information can be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.