THE driver of a hatchback could hold vital information after a gang of masked men beat up a 19-year-old during an attempted robbery.

The victim was walking along Langley Hill in Tilehurst towards the A4 in the early hours of the morning when the trio approached him.

They hit his face and body before he managed to escape.

He was left with minor bruising to his face after the 3.40am attack on Saturday, June 25.

He did not require hospital treatment and nothing was stolen.

Police constable Robert Simpson-Jones based at Newbury police station said: "This is a busy area and at the time of the offence a hatchback was seen driving along the road.

"If you were in the area at this time or have any information that could help with our enquiries please contact me via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101."

The first offender is a white man thought to be in his late teens or early twenties. He is around 5ft 9ins tall.

He was wearing a large dark coat, dark tracksuit bottoms and a black balaclava.

The second offender is black, of a similar age and slightly taller. He was wearing a dark jacket and another black balaclava.

A 16-year-old boy from Reading has been arrested on suspicion of robbery. He has been bailed until August 6.