Police are appealing for witnesses after a pack of teenagers launched a vicious New Year's Day attack on a man with a metal bar - leaving him with a fractured cheekbone and partially blind in one eye.

The gang attacked the man with a yellow pole as he was walking through Youngs Court and Arthur Court on the Doddington and Rollo Estate, Battersea, about 5:40am after welcoming in the new year.

The man's eye was so badly injured he has regained only 25 per cent vision.

The victim described a black male who started the assault as having lighter skin, aged 16-17 and about 5ft 9in tall.

He was wearing dark grey trousers and a black jacket.

Another boy wearing a black jacket with red stripes also kicked him and one member of the group had a black dog.

The group took his watch, mobile phone and £12.

Detective Constable Mike Moore of Wandsworth CID said: "This was a horrific and callous attack on a member of the public who was in good spirits after celebrating the New Year.

"I am looking for witnesses or anybody to come forward with information, which could assist this investigation and identify the culprits."

Anyone with information should contact Wandsworth Police on 020 8247 8874 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.