THUGS left a man needing stitches after he was punched in the face and had his mobile phone stolen.

The 50-year-old was calling for a taxi from Radcliffe Metrolink station just after 1am on Sunday (Aug 26) when he was assaulted.

Police say that as he was making the call, one of three men sitting nearby ran over and punched him before stealing his phone.

The attacker was 5ft 11in tall, slim and pale skinned. All three men were aged around 23.

The victim, from Little Lever, was taken to Bolton Royal Hospital where he had three stitches in his bottom lip.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to ring Whitefield CID on 856 8240.