Two French school pupils on a cultural visit to York were viciously attacked by a group of youths in Tang Hall.

Police said the two boys, aged around 15, were punched, kicked and struck with weapons after becoming separated from friends.

Both pupils received bruising to their body and face in the attack, which happened at 9.30pm on Tuesday at the junction of Alcuin Avenue and Etty Avenue.

The victims were among a party of 49 young teenagers from a school in Normandy who were on a five-day trip to York. The group were staying with families in Tang Hall, while the four leaders stayed at Olga's Guest House in Wenlock Terrace, off Fulford Road.

Sergeant Ventress said antagonism between the French teenagers and local youths had built up over the weekend, with a number of verbal exchanges.

A coach dropped the French party off in Tang Hall at 6.30pm on Tuesday after a trip to Fountain's Abbey.

The group were then approached by three youngsters, aged between 10 to 12, who pelted them with stones, and an older teenager who threw a bottle.

Returning later that night the French group were confronted by a larger group of local teenagers wielding wooden and metal sticks. They fled in different directions, but two became cornered and then attacked.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.