A 20-YEAR-OLD student was badly hurt when he was set on by a gang of rowdy teenagers on a bus.

Jamey Sherman, who has since celebrated his 21st birthday, suffered a fractured cheekbone, had a front tooth knocked out and suffered a bruised and swollen face and split lip.

The attack happened shortly after Mr Sherman got on the Thanet Loop bus at St Peter's in Broadstairs.

A gang of approximately six teenage boys, all around 15 or 16-years-old, were on the bus and two had been throwing paper at other passengers. When Mr Sherman turned to look at them, he was punched in the face and the gang attacked him.

The assailants were chased off the bus by another passenger, who helped Mr Sherman get to his sister’s home. The gang were seen getting on a bus opposite Pierremont Park in Broadstairs High Street.

Mr Sherman was taken to hospital for treatment, but has been unable to describe the attackers to detectives.

The person who helped him said one of the boys had a "fat head", side burns and dark hair. CCTV footage is being collected in the search for images of the group.

Anyone with information about the incident - which happened between 10pm and 10.15pm on Friday, February 15 - is asked to contact police on 01843 231055 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.