VIDEO: Three vicious thugs attack shopkeeper - Who are they?

The three men are shown following the shopkeeper into his store before punching him to the floor. One of the attackers then pins the victim to the ground while a second man begins stamping on his head.

Detective Inspector Rich Monk of Nottinghamshire Police said: “This was a particularly violent and cowardly attack on a man who had no chance to defend himself. The injuries he suffered, as nasty as they were, could have been so much worse.

“We are releasing this footage today because we believe someone in Nottinghamshire knows who these men are. Perhaps you recognise something about their clothing or the way they carry themselves. Or maybe you have heard someone bragging about the robbery.

“If you know something then we hope you take one look at this CCTV footage and pick up the phone. You can help us get these men off the streets today.”

The attack at between 9.50pm and 10pm on Tuesday, 3 March, left the owner of MV Supermarket in Eastham Road, Arnold, with a fractured eye socket along with cuts and bruises.

The robbers fled the store with a large quantity of cigarettes worth up to £5,000.

All three attackers are described as being aged between 22 and 28, of muscular build and were wearing dark clothing with black jackets.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 865 of 3 March 2015.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.