A teenager was savagely beaten by a gang of older boys on the top deck of a bus.

Peter Routh, 16, from Southend, was sat on a number one bus when a group of seven teenagers got on, outside Southend High School for Girls, in Southchurch Boulevard.

As the bus drove off, they surrounded the teenager and began viciously punching and kicking the lad in the face and body, while he was sat down.

Peter said: "They came on the bus and circled me. They said to me you think your big', and started smacking me in the face and in the stomach."

The gang continued throwing their fists at the teenager for around five minutes, despite cries from other passengers for them to stop.

Peter, a sixth form student, at Shoebury High School, finally managed to push his way through the gang and got off the bus two stops from where the attack began, further along Southchurch Road, towards Southend.

He suffered bruising to his left eye, swelling to his face, a cut cheek and a bruised stomach.

The shocked youngster managed to give police descriptions of three of his attackers, who were all Asian.

One was described as 16 years old, 5ft 7ins, and had a vertical scar on his left eyebrow.

He sported short, black spiky hair and sideburns.

He wore a dark blue jacket and tracksuit and blue and white trainers.

Another of the men was described as 18 years old, 5ft 6ins and had a tramline of hair and a spiky blond streak, stretching from his forehead to the back of his head.

He wore a dark blue jacket and a sovereign ring on his right hand.

Another of the boy's attackers was 17 years old, about 6ft tall and of average build.

He had a vertical scar on his left cheek by his mouth.

He had short, black hair and wore blue jeans, and a light blue jacket. His trainers had a red and silver pattern.

Anyone who recognises the descriptions, or who witnessed the crime, which took place at 3.35pm, last Wednesday, is asked to call PC Lewis Kearney, on 01702 431212.