POLICE say a teenager was lucky to avoid serious injury after he was attacked by three youths in daylight.

The 18-year-old was head-butted by one of the youths as he sat on his bike outside a chemist's shop in Station Street, Saltburn, on Friday afternoon.

Another then set alight the spray from an aerosol can and directed it at the teenager's face. He turned his head but his hair and an eyebrow were slightly burnt.

PC John Wilkinson, of Cleveland Police, said the injuries could have been much worse.

"Luckily, this lad wasn't seriously hurt but this was stupid and a dangerous act which could have had serious consequences."

He appealed for anyone who witnessed the attack, which happened at about 4.45pm, to call police on (01642) 302626.

Two of the assailants were described as between 18 and 20 years old. One was about 5ft 10in, of slim build and was wearing white tracksuit bottoms, trainers, a white T-shirt, a white top tied round his waist and a flat Kangol cap worn backwards.

The other was about 6ft, of slim build, with short dark hair and a bruised left eye.

He was wearing a black polo shirt and black trousers.

There was no description of the third man.