A STUDENT has been scarred for life by a knife wielding yob in an unprovoked attack.

The 20-year-old, who is in his final year at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, has been left with a 6in facial wound.

"I am scared to walk out of the front door," said the undergraduate, who is too frightened to have his name published.

He was attacked on Thursday evening as he walked with twin girl student flatmates along Albany Street, Middlesbrough, after having a burger.

Three teenagers - a 17-year-old, a boy aged about 15 and a 16-year-old girl - who were with a girl aged about seven or eight, followed the trio shouting abuse which turned to demands for money.

One of his flatmates warned him the younger boy had a knife. Concerned for her safety he pulled her towards him only to be head-butted by the 15-year-old.

The student went into his pocket to give his attacker some small change but dropped the coins.

He said: "My immediate reaction was to look down too. That is when I was struck by the knife, but I did not realise what had happened. It felt like a punch. I looked at Sara and saw the shock on her face and then saw my coat was covered in blood.

"I was shocked to see how close it came to my eye. I have been told there will be some permanent scarring," said the student, who is from Sussex.

Acting Detective Sergeant Colin Whitfield said: "This was a nasty and unprovoked attack on a young lad that has left him with a deep scar on his face.

"I appeal to anyone who may have witnessed anything to come forward so we can bring these attackers to justice."

The student's 41-year-old father said: "You don't think it's going to happen to your own family. For something to happen when he is here, trying to study, to look towards his future at the start of his final year, is terrible."

Student Union branch president Martin Ings described the attack as "horrific", while a "very concerned" university spokesman said it would offer whatever support it could to the injured undergraduate.