LAUGHING thugs battered a man unconscious then attacked his female friend who attempted to protect him, say police.

The 45-year-old victim was walking through Trefusis Park in Lipson along with a 47-year-old female companion at around 12.15am on August 22, when they were set upon by two young men.

Investigators say one of the attackers punched the man repeatedly in the face and head, knocking him to the floor where he lay unconscious.

The woman told police the attacker then stood over the man, continuing to rain punches down on him until she attempted to intervene and protect him.

However, the thug then turned his attentions towards her while his friend, who had been verbally egging him on during the entire assault, stood by.

After striking the woman the pair ran off laughing, leaving the male victim needing hospital treatment.

He suffered a cut to the back of his head which required gluing as well as around a dozen stitches to cuts on the inside of his mouth and stitches to his hand.

A police spokesman said the male victim has told investigators he feels "lucky to be alive".

The spokesman said: "This couple were out on a normal night and decided they wanted to take a 10 minutes walk home through the park rather than get a taxi.

"This was a totally unprovoked attack and we are keen to hear from people who may have been in the area around this time or have any knowledge of the suspects."

The main attacker was described as white, around 5ft 4ins tall, of medium build with quite large eyebrows. He had dark black hair, dark clothing and was aged in his late teens to early 20s.

The second man who goaded on the attacker was white, of similar age, slightly chunkier with longer layered brown hair.

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 08452 777444 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number EC/10/8648.