A young student was savagely attacked in a McDonald’s branch after a man discovered she was from London.

Megan Westlotorn, 18, was with friends in the McDonald’s near Salford Crescent when she was knocked unconscious.

Police are now investigating the unprovoked attack on the sports science student on Sunday morning.

Megan, who is in her first year at Salford University, was waiting at the tills to collect her order, when a man started speaking to her.

She says it was only when he asked her where she was from that his demeanor suddenly changed - and he lashed out.

The sports science student, who has shared pictures of her blood-stained clothes after the incident, told the MEN: “I noticed him talking to people when I went up to get my chicken nuggets.

“As soon as he asked where I was from and I said I was from London, he just switched.

“He started swearing at me and giving me abuse. He called me a f*****g Southerner, saying I was f*****g tramps and that he hated Londoners.

“I stepped back and told him I was backing off from the situation.”

When Megan walked away she thought her ordeal was over.

But when she went over towards disabled toilet, the man went over to her and punched in her in the face.

“The next thing I knew, I was on the floor in a pool of blood,” said Megan.

“He must have knocked me unconscious for a minute or so. There was blood pouring from my nose.

“I was just really shocked. I didn’t know what had happened. I didn’t expect to get punched in the face like that.

“When I found my friend she couldn’t believe what had happened either. It all happened so quickly.”

Megan, who has only just moved away from her home in South East London to start her degree, is urging other students to be aware of her attacker.

“I just want other people to be vigilant and watch out for him,” she added.

Megan described her attacker as white, around 5ft 4ins, with a Salford accent.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed they are investigating the incident.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Shortly after 3am on Sunday 20 November 2016, police were called to a restaurant on Cross Street, Salford to reports that a woman had been assaulted.

“Officers attended and found an 18-year-old girl had been punched in the face by a man who had fled the scene.

“An investigation is underway and police are now appealing for information.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 376 of 20/11/16, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.