LOCAL MP Adam Price has described the terrifying moment he was set upon and beaten up by a gang of youths.

The 40-year-old Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP and his partner were targeted by the louts on Saturday afternoon in the centre of Worcester.

Mr Price, who had travelled to the cathedral city to attend his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary dinner, ended up missing the function as he was in hospital.

He received stitches for a one-inch cut to his nose and also suffered a black eye and extensive bruising.

“Luckily they weren’t carrying any knives,” he told the Guardian. “If they had been, I honestly think they would have used them.”

Mr Price told how he and his partner were confronted as they carried helium balloons and other decorations to a riverside restaurant for the forthcoming party.

“They told us to give them the balloons and things just got progressively more aggressive,” he said. “But at no point was I knocked off my feet and no way was I going to give in or run away from anyone.”

Although the pair managed to break free, Mr Price said they were pursued to the restaurant. “It was a sustained attack,” he said.

Mr Price, who was “covered in blood”, added his partner twice lost consciousness due to the punches he sustained.

“They were like a baying mob with a real blood lust,” he said.

“Some people say we were in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I totally reject that. We were just doing what normal people should be allowed to do in broad daylight.

“It was a distressing episode which spoilt what should have been a very happy family occasion.”

West Mercia police say five men have been arrested.