POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a vicious and unprovoked attack on a 60-year-old man in Chester city centre which left him with extensive facial injuries.

The attack happened at 4.35am this morning (Thursday, October 16) on Foregate Street, at its junction with Queen Street, Chester.

The victim, who is from Shotton, is employed as a security guard for Boots the Chemist.

He had arrived for work at 4.30am and was standing in Foregate Street waiting for a colleague when he was approached by two males who emerged from Queen Street and demanded he hand over the shoulder bag that he was carrying, at the same time punching him several times to the face.

The victim wears glasses, which smashed, and the lenses cut into his face and eyes as his attackers struck him with such force that he fell to the floor.

The two males ran from the scene stealing the victim’s bag containing his wallet and cash. The man was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital for treatment.

The offenders are described as white males, both wearing baseball caps. One wore a red T-shirt with blue tracksuit bottoms, the other wearing dark clothing. Both males wore white trainers.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or saw males matching the description given fleeing the scene.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police on 0845 458 0000 or information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.