TWO teenagers are recovering after being attacked in Melksham town centre. The youngsters, aged 16 and 17, were set upon as they walked through the Market Place, between 10pm and 11pm, on Friday.

Police spokesman Steve Drage said: "This was a particularly unpleasant and unprovoked assault and we would be pleased to receive any information which could help us to detect this crime."

The pair were attacked by a group of three youths near the bus stop and both were head-butted and repeatedly punched.

Police believe only the actions of a teenage girl, who pulled the attackers away, stopped the incident from going any further.

The behaviour of youths who congregate in large groups in the town centre has been causing problems.

Cllr Vic Oakman said: "Week after week you see the same gangs hanging about. If they are being caught and punished obviously the punishment isn't enough.

"They are still hanging about, damaging the telephones and smashing windows."

The police have appealed for witnesses to Friday's attack and have issued descriptions of three youths they want to question.

The first is described as white, 16-years-old, 5ft 9ins tall, with shaved light blond hair. He was wearing a white hooded top with red writing across the chest and a number five on the back.

The second is about the same age, 6ft tall, with dark hair. He was wearing a dark jacket with a black or blue hood. The other youngster is about 14-years-old, 5ft 4ins and was wearing a navy blue nylon hooded jacket.

Police would also like to speak to the girl who broke up the fight.

Town clerk John Crook said the council receives a steady stream of complaints from members of the public about vandalism in the town. Last month thugs targeted telephone boxes in the Market Place and Queensway.

Also in recent months a window at the town hall has been smashed and public benches around the town vandalised.

Hedges along Murray Walk, which links the Forest Estate to the rest of the town, have been set alight and plants in the Prince of Wales Gardens have been pulled up and rubbish thrown into the pond.

Mr Crook said: "The police have told me that most of the problems are being caused by a very small minority.

"There are groups of youths hanging about but that doesn't mean they are doing any harm."

Councillors are eager that those youngsters who aren't involved in any of these incidents are not unfairly blamed.

Cllr Nick Westbrook said: "There are a hell of a lot more good youngsters in this town than there are little thugs and I think we want to encourage them.

"Many of these youngsters just get together to have a good time and they might be noisy but they are not doing anything wrong and shouldn't be punished.

"We should draw a line between them and the ones actually doing damage."