A father-of-one was yesterday operated on for serious facial injuries after he was beaten up by a gang of Asian youths during a racist attack.

Michael Thompson, 32, from Braithwaite, and a 31-year-old man, whom police have not named, were attacked by the group of 15 to 20 teenagers in the Lund Park area of Keighley.

The pair were walking along Victoria Road near Holycroft Primary School when the yobs started shouting at them.

Stephen Thompson, Michael's brother, said: "They were walking through the Lund Park area at the time and a group of young Asian lads were shouting abuse at them without provocation.

"Michael had some very bad facial injuries and I know they were going to operate on him yesterday."

Mr Thompson, who has an 11-year-old daughter and is a well-known campaigner for a single fathers' support group, was taken to Airedale General Hospital with serious facial injuries.

He has since been transferred to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he yesterday underwent surgery. A BRI spokesman said he was in a stable condition today.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "As police arrived at the scene the youths dispersed.

"The investigation is being headed by Detective Chief Inspector Roger Gasson and involves a number of detectives.

"It is being treated as a racist incident.

"We are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have seen the suspects running away from the area."

l Police today arrested four local men, aged 16, 17, 18 and 19 in connection with the incident.

They were today being interviewed at Keighley police station. DCI Gasson said: "Police acted swiftly in order to suppress any further attacks of this nature."

Inquiries are continuing into the incident."

This is the latest in a long line of attacks in the area over recent months, according to police, but officers said they are not linking this incident to previous cases.

Keighley South councillor Lynne Joyce is head of a campaign to cut anti-social behaviour in the area.

Councillors, police and community groups met last month to look for a solution.

At that time Cllr Joyce said lack of communication between local groups had been the problem.

A further meeting was due to be held today between local groups and police community co-ordinator Sergeant Allan Gee.

Anyone with information about the attack should contact Acting Detective Sergeant Martin on (01535) 617085.