CCTV stills of a number of youths police want to speak to in connection with a horrific attack on a 16-year-old boy on Formby beach have been released by police.

Charlie Sanderson, from Lowton, was enjoying the sunshine on Tuesday, July 23 with around 10 of his friends and decided to head to Formby Beach on the train.

They were enjoying their time there when a 16 strong gang of youths approached them and beat Charlie with weapons.

They kicked and punched him to the extent that Charlie's friends thought "they were going to kill him".

Leigh Journal:

Two of Charlie's injuries for which he attended hospital

Eventually a passerby stopped the attack, which left former Golborne High student Charlie with horrific lacerations to his head and all over his back.

The offenders, of which there is reported to have been 10 of them, were reported to have ran into the sand dunes before police officers arrived.

To read the article regarding the attack click here.

Detective Inspector Catherine Walsh said: “We are hoping to get a good response to our further appeal as this was a shocking incident on a teenage boy who should be able to go to the beach without fear of being assaulted.

“This happened on one of the hottest days of the year and there were many people there enjoying the sunshine so someone must have seen something.

“We believe members of the public who witnessed the offence itself have not yet come forward and we would appeal to them to help us in our investigation.

“If you have any information at all about the incident, do the right thing and help us bring the offenders to justice by contacting police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 19100401147 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.