The young men, aged 19 and 25, are recovering in hospital with one requiring facial reconstruction surgery due to the severe impact of his wounds. They reportedly stepped in at around 5.20am yesterday in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, after seeing the girls in distress.

       Family members told how the two lads were then brutally attacked and one of them was stamped on as he lay on the floor, Stoke-on-Trent Live reports.

       Staffordshire Police have released descriptions of two men they want to speak to following yesterday's attack.

       Detectives are still looking for the predators, described as young black men, one wearing a white, short-sleeved t-shirt and black waistcoat with blue jeans, the other was wearing dark clothing.

       Friends and relatives have praised the Good Samaritans who are understood to have saved the girls.

       Ben Mortimer said: "My stepson and his friend showed pure bravery to prevent the rape of two girls. These two deserve a medal for putting themselves in danger. My stepson has multiple broken bones in his face due to the guys stamping on his face."

       Shelly Metcalfe added: "Just so everyone knows. My brother and his friend stopped an attempted rape and they got beat up for it by two black men, one with short dreads and one with a shaved head."

       Neil Watkins said: "Two heroes. I hope they have a speedy recovery because without them the outcome for the two young girls would have been horrendous.

       "Take a bow lads you should be proud of yourselves regardless of the outcome."

       Officers continue to investigate Hanley, which is Stoke's main shopping and business area.

       Anyone with any information about the two attackers should call the police on 101, quoting incident number 178 of September 5 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.