POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a young man was viciously assaulted in an unprovoked attack.

Cumbria Police are investigating a street robbery which was reported at around 4.00am this morning. 

A 21-year-old local man was making his way home after a night out when he was approached by two males near the Salvation Army building in Abbey Road.

There was a brief exchange between the victim and his attackers before the young man continued on his way towards the Hindpool area.

The suspects followed him round the back of the magistrates' court and asked the victim to hand over some money. 

They punched him in the face and knocked him to the floor before continuing the assault and taking his mobile phone. 

The suspects then ran off in the direction of Shakespeare Street. 

The first suspect is described as being around 19 years old, approximately six foot tall and of slim build with short blond hair. 

He was wearing a light coloured tracksuit jacket at the time of the attack.

The second suspect was described as being in his late teens or early 20s, also of slim build and about six foot in height. 

He had dark coloured hair and was wearing a similar tracksuit jacket which was slightly darker in colour. 

The victim required emergency treatment after sustaining a laceration to his nose, facial bruising and a graze to his elbow.

Police say he was a young man and "very badly shaken."

Having arrived at the scene, police cordoned off a small section of Dryden Street to carry out the investigation. 

The road has since reopened. 

DS Mike Wallace of Cumbria Police said: "This has been a particularly nasty unprovoked attack on a young man who was simply making his way home.

"We are currently making enquiries with residents in the Hindpool area.

"We have completed a scene examination and are now appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information as to who these two offenders might be to make contact."

Anyone with information can call Cumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111