Shocked Simon Rosenstone, of Alwoodley, then boarded the bus with blood pouring from his nose and a black eye after being attacked on Infirmary Street.

A gang of men had been trying to pick up the bottom of Simon's trolley bag as he walked towards the bus stop at 3.30pm on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, who is registered blind, told the YEP: "I touched one of them with my stick as I tried to get my trolley back. He then said something along the lines of 'what are you touching me for' and then he just punched me in the face which caused my nose to bleed and a black eye. After this they all ran off and left me."

The men threw two or three punches before fleeing.

Simon, who is a volunteer at Donisthorpe Hall nursing home, Shadwell Lane, said: "It was quite shocking. I was dripping with blood. I got on the bus and someone I knew recognised me and offered to come with me to the police station."

After giving a police statement, Simon was then checked out at Leeds General Infirmary where he has to return to see whether his nose is broken.

"I just want to tell my story so that they can catch such cowardly thugs who would attack a blind person in broad daylight entirely unprovoked in the centre of Leeds," he said.

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said enquiries are ongoing and urged witnesses to get in touch.

Anyone with information should contact Holbeck Police on 0845 60 60 606.

West Yorkshire Police website