A teenager had a corrosive substance thrown in his eyes in Penge yesterday.

Police were called to Penge Lane, at around 13.30pm. The 17-year-old was being helped by staff in the Himalayan Kitchen restaurant.

Staff told the Evening Standard the victim screamed 'my life is gone' as they tried to wash the liquid from his eyes with bottled water.

One member of staff said: "I was talking to my customers and the man ran up, he was shouting 'my life is gone, call my mum'."

The employee added: "It's terrifying, very scary. It is not a nice thing to happen, so cruel."

A spokesman for the Met said the substance thrown has yet to be analysed but was believed to be ammonia.

The victim was taken to a south London Hospital where his condition is not life threatening.

No arrests have been made and inquiries continue.