A MAN was viciously attacked by a gang of thugs as he walked through Bolton.

The 28-year-old was in Halliwell Road when a man asked him for a light then punched him in the face.

The attacker was joined by three or four other people who kicked and punched the victim before dragging him into Vicarage Lane and searching his pockets.

A taxi driver who witnessed the incident flagged down a police car and three of the group were arrested, while others fled.

The victim was treated at the Royal Bolton Hospital. Nothing was stolen during the incident, which took place at about 2am on August 28.

Police are keen to trace the taxi driver who may have important information. He was Asian, middle-aged and had two women passengers in his private hire car.

Detectives are still looking for the man who first approached the victim. He was white, aged 16 to 20, 5ft 6in tall, thin and was wearing a tracksuit top and a baseball cap. Anyone with any information should contact Astley Bridge CID on 0161 856 5797 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

l A 22-year-old man and two 19-year-old men, all from Bolton, arrested on suspicion of robbery have been bailed until November 18.