A man is in a serious condition in hospital after an "horrific" attack by three teenagers.

The 41-year-old was assaulted in Edinburgh's Murrayburn Green at about 2am yesterday.

He was stamped and kicked by his attackers, who also hit him with a pole, police said.

The victim was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he is in a serious but stable condition.

The three assailants were aged between 15 and 18. They were all wearing hooded tops and jeans.

Detective Constable Steven Livingstone, who is leading the inquiry, has appealed for witnesses to contact police.

He said: "This was a horrific and sustained attack on a man by three others, who used significant violence and a weapon to inflict serious injuries rendering him unconscious and lying on the ground.

"We have only a very sketchy description but believe his attackers walked away towards a nearby bridge."