DETECTIVES are investigating after a gang attacked a schoolboy with hammers and bats in the street.

The 16-year-old victim was stood at the entrance to Manchester Road Park in Parkhills at 6.50pm on Sunday when the vicious assault took place.

The teenager told police that a group of between 10 and 15 youths came up to him as he was stood near the park gates in Westgate Avenue and began talking to him.

Then, without provocation, some of the group members began attacking him with a hammer and baseball bats.

Police said the victim suffered cuts and bruises to his head and upper body and was taken to hospital for treatment before being allowed home later on Sunday night.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "Detectives are investigating this incident and are trying to establish a motive for the attack.

"Anyone with witnessed the assault or who has any information about it should call police on 101."