A MERSEYSIDE man dressed as a Roman Gladiator was attacked and badly beaten by a gang as he walked alone.

The 21-year-old had been walking in fancy dress down Bridge Street, Warrington at 12.15am on Friday.

It is believed he was on his way home from a party at the time.

The victim was approached by a gang of four or five youths and was asked for a cigarette before being punched in the face.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "The males were thought to have run into the nearby McCauleys public house near Bridge Street."

The victim was taken to Warrington District General hospital with serious mouth injuries and was later moved to Whiston hospital.

His attackers are thought to be in their late teens and early 20s.

One is described as 5ft7ins tall with short blond hair shaved at the back and sides.