A GANG of youths launched an unprovoked booze-fuelled attack which left a Hampshire man with head injuries.

Simon White, 31, needed hospital treatment after a gang of up to ten youths assaulted him while he was walking home after a night out with friends.

One of the thugs knocked him to floor before the others rained punches and kicks on him and threw beer cans at him.

It was not until residents from a nearby house ran out to help Simon that the barrage of blows to the head stopped and the gang ran off.

The incident is the latest in a string of similar attacks in the quiet village of Hamble. They are believed to have been carried out by the same group of youths.

Police have stepped up patrols in the village in response to the reports.

Simon, who works in property maintenance, told the Daily Echo he wanted action taken against the thugs who he says are targeting the village.

He said: "I am just outraged that this could have happened without any provocation. There was no motivation behind it, just pure viciousness.

"I saw them walking towards me but thought nothing of it, then suddenly there were three in front of me and three behind shouting abuse and then I got a clout at the back of my head which knocked me to the floor.

"The doctors were very surprised that I didn't lose consciousness considering the extensive beating that I got from these thugs.

"This attack has really highlighted that there is an element in the village that is starting to raise its ugly head and you just don't expect that in a place like Hamble. Everybody is up in arms about it and this element needs to be controlled as they seem to be running amok, a real law unto themselves. They need to be caught and stopped."

Police have launched an investigation to find the youths, who are described as white and aged approximately 16 to 17 years. One was wearing a black hooded top with grey piping.