DETECTIVES are appealing for information after a Wirral man fell victim to an unprovoked attack in Birkenhead.

Police were called to Whetstone Lane at around 8pm on Tuesday after reports that a man had been assaulted.

The 49-year-old had been walking along the road, close to McDonalds, when a teenager approached him and punched him in the face, leaving him with facial injuries that needed hospital treatment.

It is believed that the attacker – said to be around 16-years-old – was with a large group of teenagers at the time of the assault.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “Officers were called to Whetstone Lane following a report that a man had been assaulted.

"Patrols attended and witnesses from the area have been spoken with and CCTV is being examined. An investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing.”

The attacker is 5ft 8ins, with short cropped hair, wearing a blue waterproof jacket and black tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with information should call Wirral CID on 0151 777 2265 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.