A MAN has been attacked by a group of armed men in Tameside.

At about 9.30pm on Sunday 5 October, the 33-year-old went into an address on Back Bower Lane, Hyde with his girlfriend.

As they left a short time later, the man was attacked by a group of about six to seven men who had been hanging around close to the house.

It is believed the men were armed with an axe and the victim suffered lacerations to his head, leg, arm and hand as a result of the attack.

Detective Constable Andrew Fink from Tameside CID said: "This was a vicious and unprovoked assault on a man and the offenders must be caught.

"While this is an isolated incident, it is important that these thugs are shown that they can not get away with this sort of behaviour.

"The group was hanging around in the area for about an hour before the attack and I am keen to hear from anyone that may have seen them."

The offenders are described as Asian men, aged 20 to 25 years.

One of them is described further as an Asian with dark skin, aged 25 to 26 years, 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in tall, of slim build. He was wearing black jeans, a black coat with a white emblem on the chest and a black bob hat.

A second offender is described as Asian, aged 23 to 24 years, 5ft 7in tall, with dark hair and broader than the first offender. He was wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Tameside CID on 0161 856 9255 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.