A 12-year-old boy suffered facial injuries after he was punched outside a doughnut shop in Braehead.

Detectives are appealing for information after the youngster was seriously assaulted outside Krispy Kreme on Sunday afternoon.

At around 2.30pm the victim and three friends left the Braehead shopping centre and headed towards the pirate ship play park.

They came across another group of teenage boys there and police say words were exchanged before the victim and his friends were chased.

The suspect caught up with the victim at the stairs near to the Krispy Kreme where he punched him. 

It is believed the suspect then made his way back to Braehead shopping centre.

He is described as being about 12 to 13 years old, 5ft 6in tall, of slim build with red hair which was shaved in at the sides and longer and combed back on the top.

He was wearing a black jacket and tracksuit bottoms.

The victim was taken to Royal Alexandra Hospital where he required surgery for a facial injury.

Detective Constable Laura Watt from Paisley CID said: “This type of violent behaviour is completely unacceptable and enquiries are ongoing to trace the person responsible.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the Braehead area on Sunday afternoon and may have noticed a group of teenage boys at the rear of the shopping centre, or indeed the assault itself, to please come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Paisley CID via 101.