YORK Police were today checking leads, including the names of possible suspects, after the Evening Press highlighted a brutal assault which left two young men "lucky to be alive".

As reported in later editions of yesterday's paper, Daniel Sweeney, 19, and Ben Schlabitz, 20, both of Lime Tree Avenue, New Earswick, were left unrecognisable after a vicious beating in the village on Saturday night.

Following publication, a number of people contacted the police with information, including names of possible suspects, and officers will be following up that information over the next few days.

Both victims remember little about the assault, but police are determined to unravel the mystery surrounding the incident, with the help of information from the public.

Police believe the pair had taken a bus back to the main shops in New Earswick following a night out in York city centre, but at some point - thought to be between 11.25pm and 11.45pm - they were set upon and seriously assaulted.

They managed to make their way home and their injuries were discovered by their parents on Sunday morning, at which point the police were called.

PC Ben Whiteway, of York Police, said: "Both of them are very lucky to be alive."

Both men spent several hours at York Hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.

York Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact PC 100 Ben Whiteway on 01904 631321.

Updated: 11:03 Tuesday, August 05, 2003