A 53-YEAR-old man is in hospital after a gang of thugs launched an unprovoked attack on him and a friend in the early hours of Sunday morning in Prestonpans.

The man was walking on Redburn Road with a male friend, aged 48, when they were confronted by three younger men.

The gang subjected the two men to a sustained and brutal attack which left their 53-year-old victim with a double fracture to his arm and his friend suffering facial injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the three assailants in the area around the time of the attack, which happened outside the Day-Today store at 1am.

A police spokesperson said: “Police in East Lothian received a report of an assault that took place in Redburn Road, Prestonpans, around 1am on Sunday, July 19.

“A 53-year-old man sustained serious injuries to his upper body and a 48-year-old man sustained minor facial injuries. Both attended the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.” The gang were all described as white and in their early twenties; one was 6ft tall and wearing a dark polo shirt, dark jeans and light-coloured pumps; the second was around 5ft 7in and wearing a maroon polo shirt; while the third suspect was also described as about 5ft 7in.” Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.