A TEENAGER suffered horrific injuries in a vicious, unprovoked attack as he queued outside Blackburn Ice Arena with his girlfriend.

Alex Potter was struck so hard his palate was shattered, six of his teeth were damaged and his lip was torn from top to bottom.

He will now have to undergo plastic surgery on his lips and dental surgery on his teeth.

Alex, who lives in Ribchester, had been queuing with his 16 year-old girlfriend to go skating at Blackburn Ice Arena, Lower Audley, when the attack happened.

His attacker, described as 6ft 4ins tall, weighing about 18 stone and wearing a grey, knitted hat.

He had brushed past the couple as they had joined the queue, which was mainly made up of children and teenagers, at just after 8pm on Friday.

Moments later Alex, who is 6ft 1ins, felt something at his shoulder and when he turned round he was struck in the face by the man, causing him to stumble backwards.

Alex was taken to hospital and was operated on the following day.

He has to take painkillers every two hours and faces the prospect of further surgery on his mouth and lips.

Alex's concerned mum -- who did not want to be named -- said: "Alex is the most unassuming boy you could ever meet. He is very polite and and highly thought of at school.

"We were in London at the time, but came home as soon as we heard the news.

"We were very upset to see the state he was in.

"Alex has been going to the ice rink since he was about 11, although before this happened he hadn't been for a few months.

"But he isn't the sort of lad who goes out trawling around the pubs.

"He thought going to the ice rink would be quite a safe thing to do.

"His girlfriend, although not hurt, was badly shaken up, by the incident.

"There were mainly children waiting in the queue, so obviously nobody stepped in to confront the man and I am sure a lot of them were quite traumatised when they saw what happened to Alex.

"But we would appeal for anyone who knows who this man is to come forward.:

Chief Inspector Peter Broome from Blackburn Police said: "A number of lines of inquiry are being pursued.

"There must be numerous witnesses."

Anyone who witnessed the attack can contact Blackburn Police on 01254 51212.