A MAN who was left fighting for his life after being attacked in a Darwen nightclub is making a ‘miraculous recovery’.

Ben Pennington was put in a coma after he was punched in the Level One nightclub while out with his best friend on October 15.

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His family was told his injuries were potentially life-changing and he could be in hospital for anything between six to 18 months after suffering a bleed on the brain.

But just five weeks later the 29-year-old is back home.

At the time, Ben’s father Mark released shocking pictures of his son in a bid to show the damage a single punch can do.

The sales manager from Walton-le-Dale is able to walk and use his arms, despite doctors’ fears he may have been left disabled.

Mark, 58, who owns Pennington Bakeries and Sandwiches in Preston, said: “He had made such good progress.

“He has astounded them all.

“Five weeks ago we were told he would be in hospital for six to 18 months and here he is back at home.

“It is amazing. All of the consultants have been blown away .

“It is his sheer determination.”

Ben, who had the front of his skull removed to allow the swelling in his brain to go down, has to wear protective headgear when he goes out until he has an operation to install a titanium plate in his forehead.

“He is talking, but gets very tired and can’t walk very far,” Mark said.

“It is going to be a long lengthy process, but compared to what we were told five weeks ago, that he would be severely brain damaged and not able to move his arms and legs. It is a remarkable turn around.

“We thought he would be in hospital this year and next.”

“It is miraculous. We were told at the hospital it was nothing short of a miracle.”

Mark said Ben, who remembers nothing of the attack, will be unable to return to work for the next year to 18 months.

A 27-year-old Darwen man was arrested on suspicion of assault and has been bailed until January 9.

Police are still appealing for witnesses and people can call 101 quoting log reference LC-20161015-0183.