A GANG of young thugs who brutally attacked two men on York's Millennium Bridge had earlier "played football" with a baby hedgehog, it was claimed today.

Horrified onlooker Andy Reid, who lives off Walmgate, contacted The Press to reveal the full extent of the group's night of shameful violence.

The 44-year-old was walking past the bridge about 20 minutes before the assaults when he spotted about ten teenagers gathered at the Fulford end of the structure.

"I saw them kicking something around on the floor," he said. "When I got a bit closer, I realised it was a baby hedgehog. I asked them what the hell they were doing and they told me to **** off'. I was absolutely disgusted that they could do something like that."

Mr Reid said he walked into the middle of the gang to pick up the hedgehog and a boy of about 13 or 14, who was wearing a black hood, punched him in the back.

"I told them what I thought of them and walked away with the hedgehog," he said. "I placed him gently in a bush round the corner, so he couldn't be found. Thankfully, it was still alive."

The Press reported this week that teenage thugs laughed after breaking the jaw of Polish man Wojciech Glanc as he walked along the bridge.

Police believe the gang, which may have included boys as young as 13, had earlier also rugby tackled a roller-blader on the bridge, and punched and kicked him in the head.

The attacks took place at about 9pm on Sunday, 30 minutes after the hedgehog incident, and it is believed they are the same group.

Police said today a man had been arrested in connection with the assault on Mr Glanc, and had been released on police bail.

Mr Reid, who was not hurt in the attack on him, said he had immediately gone to the police station in Fulford Road to report the incident.

"The lad who punched me only looked about 13, but he was so aggressive," he said. "The gang looked as if they were high on something. I'm amazed that people don't do something about this, because it's a nice place to walk. How can they play football with a baby hedgehog?"

Any witnesses should phone them on 0845 60 60 247.