Police are hunting a gang who 'raped' and robbed a male nurse on his way to starting an early morning hospital shift.

The 36-year-old victim was attacked as he walked along Elmstead Avenue, heading towards Preston Road tube station, Wembley.

Police said three men drove up alongside the nurse, who was in uniform, and asked him for directions.

It is thought two men got out of the car while he was being questioned and grabbed him. He was then dragged down an alley, where a sexual assault was carried out.

The victim was beaten, kicked and threatened with a knife by the gang, and had his money, jacket and mobile phone stolen during the attack.

Suspect 1 was described as a dark skinned black man, in his mid-thirties, about 6'3" to 6'4" tall and of a large muscular build. He wore a black woollen hat, dark blue jeans and smart brown leather boots and was armed with a knife.

Suspect 2 is in his late 20s, black, 5'7-5'8" tall, and of proportionate build. He wore a small woollen hat and had a moustache.

Suspect 3 is also in his late 20s, black, and of normal build. He wore a dark jacket and a woolly hat, which may have had red writing on it.

The three men were driving a brown/rust coloured Peugeot 406 saloon car. After the attack, the vehicle drove off along Elmstead Avenue, heading towards Forty Lane, Wembley.

Detective Sergeant Glen Lloyd said: "This is a particularly vicious attack on a person going to work to help other people. We urge anyone to come forward who may have seen the incident or the men in the car to come forward."

Officers from Brent Sapphire Unit at Willesden Green Police Station are investigating. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have any information, is asked to call Detective Sergeant Dai Roberts on 020 8733 3946, or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.