A man had his face slashed during a brutal street attack.

Carl Morgan, 35, went to hospital to have more than 20 stitches in his face after the attack on Heath Road in Bollington.

His iPhone 5 was stolen in the attack.

Mr Morgan, who is recovering after the attack, said: “I got smacked in the face from behind by someone with a bar or blunt object who picked my phone up and ran off. I didn’t even know it was coming.It left me holding my face together in my hand. I’ve had about 26 stitches to have my muscle in my face repaired.”

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said officers are investigating the assault and theft, which took place around 5.50pm on Sunday, December 6.

She said: “A 35-year-old man was assaulted by a man who appeared from behind a hedgerow. The assault caused a large laceration to his face which was treated at hospital.

“During the assault he had his mobile phone and cards taken. The offender is described as white, around 30 years old, 6ft with short blond hair.”

Contact Macclesfield Local Policing Unit on 101 quoting incident number 744 of December 6 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.