A TAKEAWAY delivery driver who was viciously beaten by two masked men said he feared he would be killed in the attack.

Matt Pasiewicz was ambushed in a country lane after a bogus call was made to the Yummy Yummy Italia takeaway in Burnley town centre.

The 34-year-old, who was helping a friend out by delivering meals, said he was set upon by two men wearing balaclavas after getting out of the car at around 11.30pm in Hurstwood Lane, Hurstwood.

He said: “We got a call to make a delivery at the address, but when I got out of the car and took a few steps I heard a man come running behind me shouting he was going to rob me and going to kill me.

“When I looked around I could only see one person so I just hit him with the bag I was carrying. But then a second man came from the side and hit me with a weapon. I’m not sure if it was an iron bar or a hammer or something like that.

“They got me on the floor and then took my glasses off and they were asking for the takings.

“Then they were asking for my mobile phone which was in the car, so I threw them the car keys.

“At that point I bit the one who was holding me down and pushed him off and I just ran away as quickly as I could. I banged on the first window I saw where a light was on.”

Mr Pasiewicz, who lives in the Rosehill area , was last night due to go back to hospital for a scan on his injuries and believes he has suffered a broken nose, as well as serious cuts and bruising.

He said: “When they hit me, they struck my glasses which was lucky. Had I not had them on they could have taken me eye out, knocked me out or even killed me.

“It was a terrifying experience. It only lasted a couple of minutes but it felt a lot longer. My only thought was to get out of there before they killed me, I just had to get away.

“These men need to be caught. It could happen again to another takeaway driver or a taxi driver, it is frightening.”

Police are appealing for anybody with information on the attack, which happened on Thursday night, to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Lukmaan Mulla said: “I would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area at the time, and if they remember seeing anything or anyone at all suspicious, to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with any information can contact detectives at Pennine CID 01282 472282 or via 101 quoting log number LC-20121115-1698.

Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org.