A WOMAN suffered concussion and had to be treated in hospital after she became a victim of what has been labelled a "happy slap."

Stephanie Louise Saile was with six friends at Salford Crescent train station when she was hit on the back of the head with a tree branch.

Witnesses then saw two youths running away, leaving Stephanie, aged 35, of Brunswick Crescent, Bolton, clutching her head in agony.

British Transport Police believe Stephanie has become the latest victim of "happy slapping", a new phenomenon in which youths attack an innocent victim and capture the incident on a video mobile phone.

Today, she blasted the yobs and said: "These people are sick and quite sad. I was in shock and it happened so quickly. These idiots have no respect for anybody."

Stephanie was attacked between 3.45pm and 4pm on Tuesday as she was waiting to catch a train back to Bolton following a day of lecturers at Salford University.

Stephanie, who is studying a BA(Hons) in social work at the university and is coming to the end of the first year of her four-year course, was looking towards the platform building when she was struck.

After the incident, Stephanie caught the train to Bolton but went in a taxi to the Royal Bolton Hospital after speaking to NHS Direct on the phone.

She was kept in overnight for observation.

She was due to go to work on Wednesday, at the Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health Trust, where she is employed as a network manager but she had to call in sick.

She said: "I just hope these people are caught. The police have been great."

Happy slapping has become increasingly prevalent in Britain. West Bromwich West MP Adrian Bailey said recently he was concerned by what he called the "terrifying new form of bullying". The phenomenon was first reported in South London about six months ago, and similar incidents have been reported across the country.

Videos of the slaps are reportedly sent to other mobile phones and posted on the internet. There have been claims of permanent damage to peoples health including one boy whose hearing had been damaged by an attack.

PC Elaine Leeman, of British Transport Police, said: "It would appear to be an incident of a happy slap.

"We are examining CCTV footage and are seeking to speak to anybody who was on the platform at the time.

"Anyone with any information should contact us on 0800 405040."