A man has been left with a four-inch-deep facial wound after he was attacked with a bottle by a gang as he walked home.

The 34-year-old victim was chased down the street in Greenock, Inverclyde, by a group of around six attackers who shouted something at him in the early hours of Thursday.

He was struck by a beer bottle at around 2.10am as he ran past Greenock Morton's Cappielow Park on Sinclair Street which left him with a huge gash on his face.

The man, who had been on a night out, was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital for treatment to his injuries and has since been released.

Detectives have launched a probe to trace the gang and described the incident as a "vicious and unprovoked attack".

Detective inspector David Wagstaff, of Greenock CID, said: "This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a 34-year-old male who was walking home after enjoying a night out at his friend's house.

"When he was walking down Sinclair Street, a group of five to six men have shouted something at him.

"He ran towards the railway bridge which leads through to Cappielow. A number of these males chased him and it appears that he has been struck to the face with a glass beer bottle.

"This has resulted in a three to four inch deep laceration to the right side of his face. The men then ran off in an unknown direction.

"It is possible that the group of men were in the Weir Street area round about that time in the early hours of this morning.

"We also have information to suggest that a group of men may have been loitering and drinking near to an area of grass at the back of Quarrier Street.

"We are appealing for anyone who any information whatsoever to contact us at Greenock Police office via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."