A teenager was left with head injuries after being assaulted by a gang of men wielding a steel baton in Telford.

The 17-year-old was attacked while walking alone along Oakengates Road, Donnington, at about 9.50pm yesterday after going swimming. Nearing the junction at Cordingley Way, he saw four men walking towards him. One of the group asked him for a cigarette, which he handed over.

Seconds later, two of the group turned around, walked towards him and blocked his path as one of the men brandished a baton and repeatedly beat him about the head.

As the teenager crouched to the ground to defend himself, another attacker grabbed his sports bag, which contained £6 and his swimming kit, before escaping down Furnace Lane.

Police said passers-by helped the victim and called police and an ambulance. He was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital with three deep cuts to his head.

Denise Wakefield, West Mercia Police spokeswoman, said: “This was a senseless attack on a teenager, which has left him extremely shaken. The cuts to his head were very deep and required stitching.

“The victim has described the group as consisting of two white men and two black men.

“One of the white men asked the victim for a cigarette and it was the two black men who assaulted the victim and stole his bag.

“We want to hear from anybody who was in the area at the time and saw this group either before, during or after the attack.

“Police are carrying out a number of inquiries including looking at CCTV and carrying out house-to-house inquiries but we need help from the public. If you have any information at all that could assist our investigation, please come forward.”

Two of the suspects were black, and about 5ft 9ins tall to 5ft 11ins tall. One wore a black hooded top and trous- ers. The other wore a black hooded top with a purple trim around the hood and red or orange toggles on the cord of the hood.

Information to police on 0300 333 3000.