An 18-year-old has suffered permanent nerve damage after racist thugs smashed a bottle in his face on the Isle of Dogs.

The teenager had been out with friends on hire bikes when they cycled from Greenwich through the foot tunnel on August 8 at around 20.45pm.

Some of them, including the victim, had cycled ahead and stopped near the junction with Mast House Terrace in Westferry Road to wait for the rest of their friends to catch up when a group of about five men and two women, all described as white and aged 18-20, started shouting abuse, including racist comments.

One was armed with a knife and one a whisky bottle.

They tried to pull one man off his bike before the group of friends fled in the direction of Spindrift Avenue.

The suspects chased them before the man armed with the bottle caught up with the victim between the junctions of Telegraph Place and Barnsdale Avenue and smashed him in the face with it.

After falling backwards a second man kicked the victim while he lay on the ground.

Once police were flagged down by the group of friends officers found the victim's shirt drenched with blood from a deep slash in his left cheek.

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Westferry Road at the junction of Mast House Terrace and Spindrift Avenue.

He was taken by paramedics to the Royal London Hospital where he underwent surgery and spent three days recovering.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Alan Henderson, from Limehouse CID, appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said: "This was an entirely unprovoked attack on the victim who was simply enjoying an evening out with friends.

"It is believed the suspects had been drinking and took the opportunity to not only hurl racist abuse but then attack the victim. He suffered a significant facial injury and has been left with permanent nerve damage."

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Limehouse CID on 101 or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.