ST ALBANS: A teenager was knocked unconscious on Friday evening after being punched in the street by a man who got out of a taxi to hit him.

The 17 year old from St Albans was with two friends in Sutton Road between 10.30pm and 11pm when a taxi drew up and the passengers started to shout abuse at the trio.

One man got out of the taxi and punched the teenager, knocking him unconscious before getting back into the vehicle which drove off.

The victim was taken to QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City before being transferred to Addenbrookes in Oxford.

The attacker is described as a white man in his mid 20s to early 30s who was around 5ft 9ins tall, of stocky build with short dark brown hair. He was wearing a blue t-shirt.

The second suspect is a white man of a similar age, approximately 5ft 5ins tall, of slim build and with short ginger hair. He was wearing a black jacket and a t-shirt which was either red or brightly coloured.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 3300 222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.