A FATHER and son were brutally attacked while walking home after playing skittles in Bridgwater.

Barry Griffiths, 61, was kicked and punched unconscious by young thugs in Bath Road at around 11pm on Thursday.

He was left with severe facial injuries, seen in the photo his distraught family have released to the Mercury to show the extent of the vicious attack.

The thugs also laid into Barry’s son, Martyn Griffiths, 38, who managed to deflect some of the blows before another family member who was with them managed to call police on his mobile.

Martyn told the Mercury: “We had just been playing skittles at the Sportsman and were walking home.

“We saw some teenagers messing about with a fence and remarked something about what they were doing.

“We carried on walking but then suddenly we were jumped from behind.

“They went for my father first and kicked and punched him to the ground. They were laying into him really badly and then they started on me. It was fortunate that a family member who was with us called the police or it could have been a lot worse for me and I don’t think I would be standing here now.

“When they saw him on his phone they ran off.”

Martyn’s sister, Nicky Griffiths, has put an appeal on Facebook to find the culprits and make people aware of her father’s ordeal.

Police have confirmed they have arrested two men, one aged 22, and the other aged 18, on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent. They have since been bailed pending further inquiries.