A teenager is being treated in hospital for serious facial and head injuries following an attack in Londonderry.

The attack, which police are treating as sectarian, happened in the Church Brae area of the city at about 0100 BST on Saturday.

A group of up to nine youths, both male and female and believed to be of a similar age, attacked the Catholic 15-year-old boy as he was on his way to a friend's house.

He was badly beaten and has quite serious injuries but not life-threatening.

Bob Torrens Detective inspector

Detective Inspector Bob Torrens said it was a vicious attack.

"I understand he was wearing a Republic of Ireland football shirt and he may have attracted attention in that way but it was quite a brutal assault," he said.

"He was badly beaten and has a very bad cut to the head, a badly bruised eye and at this moment a suspected fracture nose, so quite serious injuries but not life-threatening."

It is understood the teenager was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital where he is in a stable condition.

He was struck on the face with a bottle and as he lay on the ground near to the junction of Belt Road he was repeatedly kicked.

One of the assailants was seen kicking him on the head.

The group then made off in the direction of Irish Street.

Police believe that due to the extent of the boy's injuries and the viciousness of the attack that some of the assailants would be splattered with blood.

They have appealed for any witnesses to the attack to come forward.