A MAN was taken to hospital after being beaten up by thugs who sprayed pepper spray into his face in a busy Lancaster bar.

The man, who has not been named, was attacked in Walkabout, on Dalton Square, on Saturday night.

Revellers dashed for cover as a group of men squirted the noxious spray in the victim's face before kicking and punching him.

Witnesses said around 15 people took part in the attack.

"This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable and totally irres-ponsible," says DS Sean Carthy, of Lancaster CID.

"Other people in the bar, which was busy, could have been hurt and we understand that quite a few people complained about sore eyes and burning in their throats after the spray was discharged."

The man suffered a broken cheek-bone and nose in the attack and a suspented fractured hand. He also had a tooth broken and needed four stitches in his lip.

To help po9lice, call DS Jo Edwards on 01524-596642.