A 67-YEAR-OLD man was beaten with a baseball bat and kicked by a gang of youths in an unprovoked attack as he walked along a Wirral street on a night out.

Police were called to Manor Drive in Upton just after 10pm on Wednesday, April 2, following reports of an attack.

It is believed the victim had been for a night out with friends and was walking along the road near to the main entrance to Manor Park, at around 8.25pm, when four youths appeared.

They kicked him, then hit him over the head with a baseball bat before running off.

The victim was taken to hospital but discharged the following day. Nothing was stolen during the incident.

Police carried out a thorough search of the area and house-to-house enquiries were conducted. CCTV from the area is now being reviewed.

An investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the incident is continuing.

Detective Inspector John Griffith from Wirral CID said: "This appears to be a completely unprovoked attack on a man who was walking home, minding his own business.

"The victim was kicked in the stomach, then hit twice over the head with the bat, and he's very lucky not to have been seriously injured.

"I'm sure people in Upton will share my anger about this incident and I would like to take this opportunity to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to arrest the offenders, all of whom are described as aged between 16 and 17 years.

"I'd appeal to anyone who knows who is responsible for this attack, or has any information about it, however trivial it may seem, to come forward and get in contact with us."

Contact Wirral CID on 0151 777 2265, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org