A TEENAGE boy was set upon by a gang in a racist attack.

The 13-year-old Asian victim was with friends near Thompson Park, Burnley when he was verbally abused and beaten by the group at 9.45pm on Friday.

Police said the victim was walking with a group of friends from the Pit Top area off Colne Road towards the park when they were approached by a group of about seven older teenagers.

The gang started to chase and shout racist abuse at the younger boys, all of whom managed to escape apart from the 13-year-old who slipped and fell.

Police said he was then set upon and received injuries including a swollen cheek and a broken wrist. The victim told officers he thought he was attacked with a bat.

The youngster's silver Sony Ericsson K7001 mobile phone was also stolen.

Det Insp Sam Birtwell, of Burnley CID, said: "This was a particularly nasty attack on a young teenager by a group of older boys and it is being treated as a racist incident, although it is unclear at this stage whether the gang were white or Asian themselves."

Anyone with information should contact police on 01282 472142 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .