A SHOPKEEPER had part of his ear bitten off in a "vicious and unprovoked" attack by a gang of youths following a squabble over booze. 

The 36-year-old man was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital where medics carried out emergency surgery after the assault on Saturday night. 

Cops have now launched a manhunt to find two teenagers they believe are behind the attack, which took place in the doorway of Corky's, Broomlands Street, Paisley. 

It is understood the thugs had initially asked a member of the public to buy them drink in the shop at around 8.30pm only for his attempt to be foiled by a payment failure. 

The unsuspecting shop owner initially followed the man outside but returned to his store where one boy, aged between 15 and 16, entered and tried to purchase alcohol with a fake-id. 

He was refused and so another member of the gang, understood to be another boy, tried only for the shop owner to refuse him. 

An altercation ensued in the doorway of the shop as a group of youths "set about" the victim, kicking and punching his body and spitting on him. 

Police say one boy, aged 15-17, and an unknown teenage girl then carried out the brutal attack on his ear while also damaging his arm. 

The man, who has been left badly shaken by the attack, was treated at the RAH and the part of his ear attached. He has since been released. 

Detectives now want to speak to the man who initially tried to buy the youths alcohol as they believe he may hold the key to their investigation.

The boy is described as white, about 5ft 8", and wearing dark clothing and possibly gloves. There is no description of the girl. 

They are also asking any member of the public who may have seen something to call them on 101. 

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