A Worcester man was attacked and knocked unconscious by a group of teenagers, one of them possibly a girl.

Richard Woodhouse was assaulted minutes after investigating a noise outside his home in Wood Piece Close, Wall Meadow, Warndon Villages last saturday night at approximately 9.15pm.

He discovered that an estate agent's sign had been smashed. He followed a youth who he suspected of causing the damage towards Brindley Road, but turned back after a few minutes.

It was on his way back that he was assaulted from behind. Although he did not see his attackers, a neighbour believes that one of them was a female and that there were more than two males involved.

A police spokesman said that the next thing he remembers is being helped out of a hedge and into an ambulance, in which he was taken to the Accident & Emergency Department of Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"Mr Woodhouse received a number of injuries to his head - possibly through being kicked when he was unconscious on the ground from an initial heavy blow," said a police spokesman.

"This was a vicious and unprovoked attack by a gang of young thugs - possibly including a female - and we are trying to identify them as quickly as possible and bring them to justice for a serious assault that could have had far worse consequences for the victim and for them."

Although there is nothing to directly link the youth that Mr Woodhouse saw - and followed - to the assault, they would like to speak to him, if only to eliminate him from their enquiries.

He was white with blonde high-lighted hair, wearing light blue jeans and a football shirt with a number on the back that Mr Woodhouse cannot currently remember.

Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to contact police on 08457 444 888, quoting 664S/190407. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.