POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a bizarre attack on a man as he cycled home from work in York.

The 31-year-old victim was knocked to the ground as he crossed a piece of wasteland, and, when he regained consciousness he found a plastic cable tie had been pulled tight around his neck.

Nothing was taken, and police said the motive for the attack was a mystery.

The man had left work in the city centre by bicycle and intended to take the cycle track which runs behind the railway station to Wilton Rise.

But he saw a group of youths on the track and decided to take an alternative route along a pathway which runs across wasteland above the track.

As he travelled along the path, he heard footsteps behind him and suddenly felt a blow to the right side of his face.

Police said he awoke a short time later and found the plastic ligature pulled tight around his neck.

He managed to call an ambulance on his mobile phone, and ambulance staff went to the scene and cut off the tie. He also received injuries to his face, which are thought to have been caused by him falling on to the gravel path.

Detective Sergeant Nigel Costello, of York CID, said: "This was a very strange attack, and one which could have been a lot more serious. There was a period of time where he blacked out, but he came round and managed to use his mobile phone to call for help. If he hadn't, we could be looking at a very different investigation.

"He has been left with a really nasty abrasion around his neck where the tie has been fastened. The motive isn't clear. He had a rucksack, mobile phone, a wallet, and his bicycle, and nothing was taken."

The victim was wearing dark clothing and was riding a dark bicycle. The attack happened some time between 1.15am and 1.28am on Thursday last week.

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Costello on 01904 631321.

Updated: 15:35 Monday, April 28, 2003