DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses to an unprovoked assault in which a 48-year-old man had a mystery liquid sprayed in his eyes.

The victim was walking down Grosvenor Hill, Margate, at about 7.30pm on January 1 when a group of boys approached him and said hello.

As he turned around one of the boys sprayed a liquid in his face and eyes, causing him to temporary loss of vision. He then fell to the ground.

The boys then walked away, leaving the man on the ground. He was taken to hospital where his eyes were treated.

One of the boys is described as aged 15 to 17. He was wearing a black jacket with a hood.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about it is asked to contact DC Zak Foote at Margate police station on 01843 222061.