A DISTRAUGHT mum is warning people to be vigilant after her son suffered a broken nose in an 'unprovoked attack' by a gang of armed teenagers.

Lewis Farnworth, 16, was threatened with a knife, punched in the face and hit with what he believes was a metal bar as he was walking home with his girlfriend.

A day later another boy reportedly suffered a stab wound after yobs struck him with a broken bottle in a second gang assault in Astley.

Lewis' mum Carla, 34, from Astley, said: "To see my son covered in blood after being beaten up by a gang of around 20 teenage boys was terrifying.

"He has a broken nose, a possible broken knuckle and other injuries all over his face and body.

"He was hit with a metal bar or something like that and was threatened with a knife.

"Thankfully they did not use the knife on him but other people may not be so lucky.

"I read on Facebook that another boy around 15 years old was also attacked by a gang in Astley, possibly the same one.

"He apparently got stabbed in the arm with a broken bottle the day after Lewis was attacked.

"What kind of people would do something like that? Or assault my son in a completely unprovoked attack?

"No-one is safe with horrible people like that around and I urge all parents and young people to be wary of the dangers lurking on our streets.

"My other two children are now scared to go out of the house with friends, and Lewis is understandably nervous as well.

"His physical injuries will heal. I'm more worried about the emotions scars the attack has left."

Lewis may have suffered more extensive injuries had it not been for the intervention of a good Samaritan.

She saw last Tuesday's attack while driving along Ley Road and scared the gang off as she pulled up to help.

Carla added: “I would like to thank the woman who stopped and helped my son.

"He was very shaken up at the time and does not remember if he said thank you to her, so we as a family want to extend our thanks to her.

“Without her God knows what could have happened to my son.

"While he was being attacked his girlfriend threatened to call the police, but Lewis told her not to as he did not want the gang to turn on her.

"After he turned up at the house covered in blood, I took him to hospital and I phoned the police when we got back home at 1am.

"The woman who stopped to help him also reported the incident to the police."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “On Tuesday, October 25, police were called to reports that a 16-year-old boy had been assaulted between 4pm and 5pm that day on Ley Road, Astley.

“Police have launched an investigation and enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference number 102 of October 26.