A TEENAGE boy was badly beaten by two men - one of whom claimed to have a knife - at Merry Hill bus station.

The 16-year-old victim was repeatedly punched and kicked in the shocking attack on Thursday (October 21) at around 9.25pm.

Police said they are investigating the incident which left the boy cut and bruised and needing treatment in hospital.

They said another boy, aged 16, "tried to intervene but was hit in the face by one of the attackers who intimated he had a knife."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We're investigating after a 16-year-old boy was assaulted at Merry Hill bus station, Brierley Hill.

"The teenager suffered numerous cuts and bruising after being repeatedly punched and kicked by two men.

"A second boy, also aged 16, tried to intervene but was hit in the face by one of the attackers who intimated he had a knife.

"The pair - believed to be in their late teens - fled and we're carrying out enquiries to identify them. "

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 9:27pm on Thursday to reports of an assault at Merry Hill Centre bus station.

"We sent one ambulance and a paramedic officer to the scene.”

A spokesperson for Merry Hill Centre said: “We’re aware of an incident which occurred on an external area of the Merry Hill site outside of usual opening hours on Thursday.

"Our centre team ably assisted the emergency services, who were in attendance and whom we thank for their support.

"The safety of our customers, our team and our retailers is our number one priority; it’s really important to us that Merry Hill is a safe and enjoyable place to visit.”

Anyone with information can contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting incident number 20/479236/21.