A MINDLESS yob attacked a 55-year-old man in North Worcestershire with a tree branch.

The offender approached the male, asked him his name and then struck him once to the lower body with the piece of wood.

The victim was treated at Alexandra Hospital in Redditch for minor injuries.

West Mercia Police are appealing for witnesses to the assault which took place in Landor Road, Redditch, at about 8.45am on Thursday, January 15.

Officers have described the offender as white, of slim build, approximately 5ft 10ins tall, in his late-teens to early-twenties with medium-length, dark hair.

He was wearing a dark coloured coat and trousers and had a Staffordshire or Pitbull-type dog with him.

Anyone with information should contact West Mercia Police on 101 quoting reference number 0573150115.