TWO tourists were attacked in the centre of York as they headed back to their hotel, prompting them to leave the city earlier than planned.

The “appalling” assault on the visitors from Scotland happened in the early hours of Saturday as they returned to their hotel on Station Road, when a group of three friends were approached by two men and two women and an argument broke out.

Police said the attack was unprovoked. A man in his 40s from Aberdeen who was walking along Lendal Bridge into Station Avenue with friends at about midnight, suffered a cut to his head after being assaulted by the two men. His wife, who tried to step in, was also targeted and was left with a cut to her nose.

Both victims, who had been enjoying an evening out in the city, were treated at the scene by paramedics, although they were not seriously injured. The group who carried out the attack then headed towards Lendal Bridge and George Hudson Street.

York Police have appealed for anybody who was in the area at the time and saw the two groups walking over the bridge and along Station Avenue to come forward. Sergeant Wesley Cooper said: “This was an appalling, unprovoked incident against three people who were visiting York.

“I’m sorry to say they cut short their visit to the city as a result of the incident.”

Anybody with information about the attack should phone York Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, while they can also email Wesley.cooper@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk