North: Teenager beaten in gang attack

A teenager was savagely beaten with iron bars and a claw hammer during a gang attack in west Belfast, police said today.

The 17-year-old suffered serious head injuries after he was assaulted in Norglen Crescent, in the New Barnsley area, shortly before midnight.

He was taken to hospital but his condition is not thought to be life-threatening.

Police have yet to establish a motive for the attack and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.