A MAN who suffered a fractured skull was left fighting for his life after being attacked in the street.

Police were called by the ambulance service after a 60-year-old man was found with 'serious' head, wrist and leg injuries in Greenacre Street, Clitheroe at 5.40am today.

An investigation has now been launched to find those responsible.

Officers closed off the road from its junctions with Woone Lane and Whalley Road.

Yesterday three police cars and a crime scene investigation van could be seen on the road.

The man, who was described as in a 'very serious' condition was taken to Royal Preston Hospital by paramedics, police said.

Residents said they were 'shocked' and urged police to find those responsible.

A neighbour in Greenacre Street said: "I was really concerned when I saw the police cars and the cordon.

"I walk down there every day to work and I couldn't believe it when I saw everything.

"I thought a child had been knocked over or had collapsed, I was really worried.

"I can't believe the victim has a fractured skull, this is really distressing and it’s not good.

"It's something you don't expect to happen so close to you, it's shocking."

Another resident said: "The nearby corner shop was affected because its delivery truck could not get down the road.

"I found it really shocking that someone would have been assaulted like that.

"It makes it more worrying to go out onto the streets at night."

The incident took place outside St James' Church of England Primary School and a Honda car dealership.

The road closer meant several motorists were delayed during their morning commute with traffic backing up Whalley Road throughout rush hour.

Fiona Pattison, the school's headteacher, said: "I was alerted by the police that there was an assault, so the rear access to the school, through the car park, was closed.

"We then subsequently sent out texts to all parents saying the school was open and the day to day running of the school would be unaffected."

Barry Griffiths, service manager at Honda, said the car dealership was unaffected during the road closure.

A passerby said: "I saw police walking up and down to and from the cars and telling people they could not walk down there.

"I use the road as a cut through so I'm sure it would have caused a lot of inconvenience for some people."

Another Greenacre Street resident said: "There's been rumours of a few people being attacked but I didn't take any notice of them until this one.

"I don't know what's going on, why would someone get assaulted like this down that street so early in the morning?

"I hope the people responsible are found and appropriate punishment is handed out."

Detective Inspector Tim McDermott urged anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

He said: "The victim of this assault is in a very serious condition in hospital.

"I need the public’s help to find out what has happened and to find whoever has carried out this attack.

"We are in the early stages of our enquiries and I would appeal for anyone who may have seen what happened or who has any information which could assist, to come forward and contact police."

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log number 0115 of Friday, December 8.