THE family of a firefighter who was left with life-changing injuries following a savage street attack in Bacup have spoken of their need for justice.

Father-of-four Kirk Hutchinson, 52, was left in a coma fighting for his life after the ‘brutal and sustained’ attack last year.

Nobody has been charged or convicted for the attack on Mr Hutchinson, who according to his family will need 24-hour around the clock care for the rest of his life, which happened on Monday, October 26.

His daughter Chelsea Tolley, who described her dad as a 'caring but private man'.

She said the attackers had 'killed her dad in a way and he wouldn't want to live like this'.

Ms Tolley said: "It was horrendous seeing him for the first time.

"We knew he had been beaten up but not to that extent.

"We didn't expect to see what we saw. It wasn't something that we were prepared for. I walked in and I had to walk straight back out again. I couldn't stand there and look at him like that.

"His head is a mess. It seems to be sinking more every time we go and see him. He has lost so much weight. He looks like a completely different person compared to what he was like before the attack.

"He doesn't recognise anyone properly. He's got some short-term memory because sometimes he says 'bad guys' which we think is referring to the attack.

"He has got long-term memory because he talks about his time in the foundry.

"Somebody needs to come forward. The police know somebody saw it. Please come forward because they have ruined Kirk's life and he deserves justice. Nobody deserves having their head caved in. They have killed him in a way. Kirk wouldn't want to be like this. It is no life for him. I don't know how these people can sleep at night.

"All we want is justice for Kirk. The rest we will have to cope with."

Police said it was believed Mr Hutchinson, who worked as a firefighter in Ramsbottom and as at a metal foundry in Helmshore, was attacked by a group of men wearing dark clothing, scarves and balaclavas in Gladstone Street, Bacup at 6.50pm.

Police initially arrested seven men, aged between 20 and 33 on suspicion of wounding with intent and public order offences, as well as a 38-year-old woman for assisting an offender.

All were later released without charge.

Detective Inspector Andy Cribbin, who said Mr Hutchinson's head injury was one of the worst he had seen in 25 years as an officer, appealed for witnesses to come forward so the grandfather-of-two, who lives in Stacksteads, can get the ‘justice he deserves’.

He is particularly keen to speak to two people who have said to witnessed the attack.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 quoting log number 0445 of April 26.