An RAF serviceman last night described the moment a gang of teenagers beat him unconscious in a "vicious and unprovoked" attack.

Senior Aircraftsman Peter Forrest, speaking from his bed at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, pleaded for the public to help catch the youths - who stamped on his head and legs - before they attack anyone else.

The 24-year-old air steward, who lives at RAF Brize Norton, said he was sitting on a bus eating pizza after a night out in Witney when the group started attacking him.

He said his memory of the attack was hazy, but he believed they knocked him unconscious before dragging him out of the bus just before 2am on Saturday SAC Forrest said: "I was on my way back from Witney on the bus and about five or six lads started hitting me. They just jumped on me.

"As the bus came into Carterton they dragged me off it, stamped on me and kicked me on the floor. They knocked me out. It was totally unprovoked.

"They didn't steal my phone or wallet or anything - I think they were just out to get someone. I didn't really have time to think about it. I was unconscious within the first few blows."

SAC Forrest spoke to the Oxford Mail from the hospital's trauma ward after an operation to put a metal plate in his broken leg.

He said: "They didn't break my nose, but there was a lot of blood coming out of it and I have bruising all over.

"I won't be fully fit for about six months. It's going to be a couple of months before I can go back to work.

"I just want them to get caught. The wrong kick somewhere and it could have been much worse.

"I want to see them brought to justice. I would encourage anyone who knows anything to come forward, because next time it could be a lot worse."

Police said he was assaulted by five or six 15 to 16-year-olds on a Stagecoach N100 bus, which left Witney town centre just after 1.30am. After he was dragged off the bus he was attacked by two youths in Brize Norton Road.

Police spokesman Toby Shergold said: "We're determined to track down the offenders and it's vital members of the public who have information or may have been on this bus on that journey come forward."

The attack was seen by a taxi driver, who told police he saw the youths stamping on SAC Forrest.

Stagecoach spokesman Chris Child said: "We have the incident on CCTV, which has been handed to the police."

One of the youths is about 5ft 6in, of medium build, with mousy brown hair. He was wearing a green and white hooded top.

Anyone with information should call Witney CID on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.