A MAN who was knocked unconscious in a vicious and unprovoked attack in Worcester has issued a stark warning to people out for a night in the city.

Philip Arnold was punched and kicked about the head by a gang of men as he tried to help a friend in the early hours of Saturday. He suffered bruises to the head and is now struggling to hear and speak properly.

"I just can't believe people could do this," he said. "I would warn other people to be very wary when they are out in the city. I would hate this to happen to someone else."

The 20-year-old car salesman, from Lower Wick, Worcester, had been on a night out with friends in Images nightclub in The Butts on Friday evening when the attack started.

"We had been on a river boat cruise and then went on to Images," he said. "One of the lads I was with was hit inside the club and then I remember we were outside.

"A group of about 20 lads started attacking this lad and so I went over to tell them to leave him alone, but then they just set about me in the car park by Images. I remember at least four of them punching me and one of them kicked me in the ear."

Mr Arnold, a former King's School pupil, said he also remembered having his head bashed against a car in the car park before being knocked unconscious.

"The next thing I remember was waking up in hospital at about 8.30am," he recalled. "I don't know how I got there, or who called the ambulance."

Mr Arnold was released later that day but will need to visit his GP later this week to assess his injuries.

"It was a completely unprovoked, vicious attack," he said. "Although I have no broken bones, I am in a lot of pain and am currently off work. I can barely see out of my one eye because of a lump on my head, and I have cuts and bruises everywhere."

Police are checking CCTV tapes and are appealing for any witnesses. A spokesman said: "This was a nasty assault."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 08457 444888 quoting 20S/110607.