This is the horrifying moment a teenager was attacked by a group of men and savagely punched until he was unconscious.

Police have issued images and CCTV of the unprovoked attack in the hope witnesses of a violent attack might come forward.

The 18-year-old was waiting with two friends at a taxi rank on Portland Street in Manchester city centre at around 3.50am on Friday 16 December 2016, when they were approached by a group of eight men.

The victim was waiting with two friends at a taxi rank on Portland Street in Manchester city centre at around 3.50am on Friday 16 December 2016, when they were approached by a group of eight men who began assaulting them

The thugs - described as Asian in their early 20s and smartly dressed - attacked the young man and dragged him along the street by his feet away from the group

The thugs - described as Asian in their early 20s and smartly dressed - began verbally abusing them before physically assaulting them.

Sickening footage shows the youth being attacked and dragged along the street by his feet away from the group before being punched in the face several times and left unconscious outside the Mercure Hotel.

The victim sustained serious facial injuries and broke three bones in his cheek in the savage beating.

The offender was described as Asian, around 20 years old and wearing black jeans and a blue/grey jacket.

CCTV shows the youth staggers away from his attackers and leaning on the glass door of the Mercure hotel

But the offender - described as Asian and around 20 years old - grabbed hold of him to him one final blow

The victim slumps to the floor unconscious outside the hotel as his attacker walks off

PC Gareth Gardiner from GMP's City of Manchester Team said: 'This was a totally unprovoked and sickening attack on a young lad who had been at a concert in the city centre with his two friends.

'This was their first visit to Manchester City Centre and this is the memory they will be left with.

'We have issued CCTV and images of the injuries in the hope that someone might have seen the incident and come and speak to us.

'Christmas and New Year were ruined for him, as he had to spend it recovering from his injuries. I want to be able to get him and his family the justice they deserve.'

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4275, or via 101 quoting the crime reference number 245333J/16 or via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.