A MAN was left with head injuries after being racially abused in a 'nasty and unprovoked attack', police said.

The 26-year-old Asian man was walking along Brennand Street, in the Duke Bar area of Burnley, when he was approached by three white men who started a verbal argument with him.

The men verbally abused the victim using racist language before assaulting him and making off at 6.10 am on Saturday March 8.

The man was taken to Burnley General Hospital with head injuries but not admitted.

All three are white males and described as being aged 18-20 and between 5ft 7in and 5ft 8ins with short brown spiky hair.

One attacker was of medium build and wore a black jacket, trousers and shoes.

The second was of slim build and wore a jumper with black and grey stripes across it.

The third attacker wore a navy blue jacket and black trousers.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the attack.

Sergeant Phil Carter of Burnley police said: "This was an unprovoked and nasty attack on a 26-year-old man and we will not tolerate this kind of racial abuse."

Anyone with information should contact Burnley CID on 01282 472272 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.