An man has been left suffering a facial injury after he was assaulted and robbed in an "appalling street attack" by a teenage gang in Edinburgh.

The 18-year-old was walking along Lauriston Place with friends when they were approached by five teenagers near to the Flodden Wall on Heriot Place.

One of the gang, which consisted of three boys and two girls, confronted the victim before punching him in the face and chasing him down the street.

As he was running away he dropped a black bag containing a pair of headphones which two of the suspects then stole.

Friends of the victim were then threatened verbally by the remainder of the group and also fled on to Heriot Place.

He suffered minor facial injuries but did not require hospital treatment.

During the assault a woman was heard shouting at the gang to stop from an address on Lauriston Place.

Officers investigating the incident are looking to trace the woman and have appealed for witnesses to the assault.

They have also issued a description of the suspects.

The group are all described as white with Scottish accents and aged between 14-16-years-old.

The first suspect is around 5ft 9ins with a slim build and short dark hair, at the time of the incident he was wearing dark clothing with a hood and a snood.

The second boy is described as around 5ft 3ins with a slim build and short blond hair with a thick fringe.

He was also wearing dark clothing.

The third is around 5ft 4ins with blonde hair, a slim build and wearing a waterproof zip-up top.

Both girls involved are described as being around 5ft 5ins.

The first girl, who is described as slim, was wearing a grey hooded top and dark trousers.

The second is described as having a medium build with blonde hair tied in a bun.

She was also wearing a grey jumper with dark trousers.

Detective Constable Leigh Inglis from Gayfield CID said: "This was an appalling attack and a traumatic experience for the victim and his friends.

"As part of our enquiries we are particularly eager to speak to a woman who was within an address on Lauriston Place and who shouted at the suspects during the incident.

"Equally anyone who may have been in the area and who saw the suspects, or witnessed what happened, is asked to get in touch as soon as possible."

Those with information can contact Gayfield CID via 101 or report this to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.