A MAN was punched in the face twice by a group of hooded youths in a terrifying gang assault in Farnworth.

Adam Nuttall was walking near the bus station on King Street on Tuesday at around 7pm where five boys, estimated to be aged between 12 and 15, were waiting.

They asked Adam, 30, if they could borrow his phone to which he replied that he did not have one and suggested that they go into the nearby pub to ask if someone there could help.

He carried on walking but realised he was being followed by the group.

Adam then used his phone and put his earphones on to listen to music before going into the Asda store on Brackley Street in an attempt to make the gang think he would be inside for a while.

But after leaving Asda, he soon discovered they were still in the area.

As he was walking along a ginnel by the supermarket car park, one of the youths ran in front of him, forcing him to stop.

Adam turned away but was then faced with four other teenagers.

He was then punched in the face twice in a shocking ordeal, which led to his glasses being smashed on the floor before he shouted out for help, which caused the young thugs to run away.

Two men then came to Adam's aid and he was given a lift home by a kind-hearted family, who wanted to make sure he got home safely.

He said the group were all white and wore hoodies and snoods, which hid their faces.

Adam, from Farnworth, said: "You do not think something like this will happen to you but it can.

"I am quite a big person, what if it had been a vulnerable person they had attacked?

"I was a bit shook up after it happened.

"When I was getting a lift home I saw them by the Lidl shop on Albert Road.

"People need make sure they keep an eye out when they are out."

Greater Manchester Police are investigating the incident.

A force spokesman said: "Officers were called to Brackley Street, Farnworth, following a report of an assault.

"Enquiries have since established that a man had been assaulted by a group of males.

"The man received minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment.

"No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."

If you have any information contact police on 0161 856 5620 quoting incident number 3,096 of April 13.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.