POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was viciously attacked in Chippenham on Saturday.
The man, who is from the local area, was walking with a friend towards the town bridge when he was confronted by a large group of youths at about 8.30pm.
One of the group snatched the man's cowboy-style Stetson hat and it was thrown between various people before ending up in the river.
The victim contacted the police but his mobile phone was then kicked out of his hand into the river.
Several members of the group then began to assault the man by punching him to the face and head.
Acting sergeant Mark Wallace, of Chippenham police, said: "As a result of this sustained and brutal assault the male sustained serious facial injuries."
He described the incident as a 'vicious and seemingly unprovoked attack' and asked any witnesses to contact Chippenham police on (0845) 4087000.
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