A TEENAGE cyclist was attacked by a gang of fishermen when he refused to hand over his bike.

The 18-year-old man was riding along the canal at Spike Island and started to chat to a group of men fishing.

When he declined to give them his bike, several of the men punched and kicked him in the face and body.

He was shaken but managed to escape on his bike.

He sustained injuries to his face and body.

The attempted robbery happened on Monday, between 3pm and 5pm.

One of the attackers is described as a white male, in his late teens, with short fair hair, wearing a grey hoodie and denim shorts.

A second assailant was a white male, aged 15, with black hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a top with dark and light coloured stripes.

A third man had a shaven head and was wearing a blue and grey Lacoste track suit.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Anthony Fry on 01244 614909 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.