A deaf decorator fears he may lose the first job he has had in four years after he was attacked in the street.

Andrew Martin suffered back injuries after a youth riding a moped kicked him while he waited for a bus.

Now he and his father are appealing for help from the public to track down the men responsible for the attack.

Andrew was waiting for a bus at the stop in Whitehawk Way, Brighton, at 8pm on Tuesday.

He stepped into the road to see if the bus was coming before turning and walking back to the pavement.

At the same time, two men were riding a Peugeot moped down the road without helmets on.

As they passed Andrew, the moped passenger kicked him in the back before riding off.

The blow knocked the 31- year-old off his feet.

As he fell he tried to catch the number plate of his attackers and saw that it was an 02 plate.

He then hit his head on the pavement and was knocked unconscious for about 20 minutes.

He was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital and is now at home on strong pain medication and is unable to keep his food down.

He is now worried that the pain may mean he might not be able to return to work with his painter and decorator firm.

His dad, Anthony Martin, said: “I live only a few yards away from the bus stop and I was watching EastEnders when someone came running up and said: ‘Come quick, Andrew is lying in the road’.

“We get so many of these bikes going around the estate.

“It’s like a rabbit warren.

“He is worried about losing his job.

“He got it in February after being out of work for four years.”

A police spokesman said: “It is believed that neither the rider nor the pillion passenger of the moped were wearing helmets at the time of this collision.

“We’re anxious to trace anyone who witnessed what happened or may have seen the moped, which is described as being black or blue, in the Whitehawk area at the time.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101, quoting serial 1641 of June 4.