Two couples were subjected to homophobic attacks after leaving nightclubs in Edinburgh.

Police said the attacks happened between 3am and 3.20am on Sunday, May 20 on Union Street.

During the first attack two men, aged 26 and 32, were walking home from CC Blooms when they were pushed from behind by two men then punched in the face.

Shortly afterwards a 29-year-old man and a 36-year-old man were walking from the GHQ nightclub nearby.

Two men then shouted offensive comments at the victims and spat at them, before punching one of the men.

Police say they are treating the incidents as hate crimes and the investigation is being treated with the "utmost seriousness."

Both suspects had eastern European accents and were in their 20s or 30s.

One wore a dark bomber jacket and the other had shoulder-length blond hair.

Constable Siobhan Mannion from West End Police Station said: "This attack left the victims extremely shaken and it is unacceptable that anyone should be targeted in this way.

"I would ask anyone who witnessed the incident or may have any information which can assist our enquiries to please contact officers as soon as possible."