The 25-year-old victim had been on a night out with friends when he was attacked as they walked home along New Barns Road at about 3am on Sunday.

The group was approached by six or seven men, who they had seen earlier in a takeaway. Words were exchanged before the victim was punched and kicked.

He was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, with serious but not life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged.

The attackers are descibed as white and in their early 20s.

Detective Constable Dan Botterill, from Ely Police Station, said: "This was a nasty assault which has left the victim in a great deal of pain.

"I would urge anyone with information about this attack to come forward. In particular, I would appeal to members of the larger group, who may have tried to stop the assault, to contact officers.

"Anyone who was in the area in the early hours of Sunday may also have important information."