AN 18-year-old man was subjected to a violent attack that left him with a fractured eye socket and other cuts and swelling.

The teenager was walking along Northdown Road at Cliftonville, near Margate, with two friends when the assault happened.

They turned into Godwin Road and saw a gang of youths, both boys and girls, on the other side of the road. One youth from the group crossed the road and verbally abused the victim and his friends.

The victim told the youth he didn’t want any trouble but another boy from the group crossed the road holding a hammer.

The first attacker took the hammer and swung at the victim's head but he managed to catch it and take it from the suspect. The rest of the group then crossed the road and assaulted the victim.

One of the girls in the group shouted something and the culprits ran off towards The Lido.

The main aggressor was aged about 16, slim, and about 5ft 8in tall, snd wearing a white and blue cap, a white hooded Nike top and navy blue tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with information on the attack, which happened at about 10pm on Friday, is asked to call DC Lee Goodey on 01843 222148.