An elderly man was attacked as a 'large group of youths' broke into a fight on a Bury street.
The victim was left with noticeable injuries to his face after the 'despicable, unprovoked' assault, police said.
It happened at around 4pm on Monday (December 20) on Coronation Gardens in Radcliffe.
Police said a large group of young people were 'fighting each other nearby' at the time of the incident.
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In an appeal posted on the GMP Bury Facebook page, they urged anyone who saw the 'street fight' or who knows anyone who was involved to come forward.
Sgt Irish, of the Radcliffe Neighbourhood Team, said: "The victim in this crime is an elderly gentlemen who gives a great deal of his own time for charity and for his local community.
"I want to appeal to this same community, to share information with us, on who would commit this despicable and unprovoked crime, so close to Christmas."
Information can be reported to GMP on 101, or online, quoting log 1979-20122021.
Details can also be submitted anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 quoting the log number provided.
