Rail officials are offering £5,000 for information that leads to the prosecution of a gang of thugs who beat up a grandfather.

Sam McMurran was kicked to the ground and battered by five or six youths at Worle Parkway railway station, Weston-super-Mare on October 29. First Great Western has pledged a reward for their capture.

The 59-year-old was left with a broken nose and jaw.

Mr McMurran from Christon, near Axbridge, approached the group which was vandalising a ticket machine. The group launched a savage attack and beat him with his own umbrella.

The CCTV cameras at the station were not working during the attack. First Great Western confirmed the cameras had been broken for an unconfirmed length of time.

Mr McMurran added: "The ticket machine was broken into a week earlier and £700 stolen. It is also shielded from the cameras by the shelter."

Anyone with information should call British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.