A GANG of thugs punched a terrified York teenager in the face, before making off with his £1,500 mountain bike.

Police are appealing for information after the 18-year-old victim was assaulted and robbed.

He was cycling along Malton Road shortly after 10pm on Friday, when he was approached by a group of youths.

A York Police spokeswoman said the gang spoke to him before then assaulting the teenager and pulled him from his bike.

The attackers repeatedly punched their victim in the face, and he was left with a minor injury to his head after the ordeal.

The gang then made off down an alley in the direction of Bell Farm, with the stolen mountain bike.

The spokeswoman said the bike was a "very distinctive" stunt bike, with a black frame, Rock Shox suspension on the front, lime green Halo SAS tyres, and a black saddle.

It is worth about £1,500.

The first attacker is described as white, about 15 years old, 5ft 7ins tall, of heavy build, with short dark hair and a round, chubby face. The second is white, aged 14, 5ft 3ins tall, of slim build, with dark hair about two inches long.

The third is 5ft 3ins tall, aged 13 or 14, slim, with short, light-brown hair, and was wearing a white, long-sleeved jacket with a hood.

The attackers were with a group of girls.

Any witnesses to the robbery, or anyone with information about the whereabouts of the mountain bike, is asked to phone York Police on 0845 60 60 247.