A man was left needing eye surgery after a brutal gang assault in Edinburgh.

He was seriously injured when a group of four or five youths pounced on him on the city's London Road at around 7pm on Friday.

A police spokesman said: "This was a serious, unprovoked attack that caused a serious injury and we are appealing for anyone who saw what happened to contact the police if they have not already done so.

"We are also keen to speak to anyone who was in the area of London Road at Abbeyhill at around 7pm on Friday, who saw the group of youths either before or after the incident happened.

"Similarly, anyone who can assist in identifying the youths involved should also contact the police."

The gang are all thought to have been aged between 15 and 16. They knocked the man over and attacked him, seriously injuring his eye and leaving him needing urgent surgery.

Police want anyone with information about the attack to contact them on 0131 311 3131.