A 17-YEAR-OLD Burnley boy was left with a suspected fractured skull after a fracas in the town centre.

Police said the victim had spent the night at a friend's 18th birthday celebration in a town centre nightclub before the incident at about 12.45am in St James Row, near its corner with Hargreaves Street, on Thursday.

The victim was today due to be transferred from Burnley General Hospital to Blackburn Royal Infirmary for an operation at the specialist facial unit.

A 17-year-old youth from Blackburn arrested in relation to the incident and has been questioned and later released on police bail until April 7.

Detective Sergeant Ian Taylor, of Burnley CID, said nothing had happened during the 18th birthday party, but a fracas took place as people were waiting for transport home.

"The incident occurred in the street and we are satisfied that we are only looking for one assailant," he said.

"It's every parents' nightmare that their teenage kids go out and end up that situation, it could be any parents' child that was injured by drink fuelled violence."

DS Taylor said the victim was conscious but heavily sedated and on strong painkillers.

He was waiting for a bed to become free before being transferred to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

He said police had not yet managed to interview the victim about the incident because of his medical condition.

DS Taylor said police had a list of names from the private party and would be speaking to about 30 people who were in the street at the time of the assault.

He also urged anyone who had seen anything on the night to come forward.

A spokesman for Lancashire Ambulance Service confirmed that a teenage boy had been taken to casualty at Burnley General Hospital.

"There was a fight in progress when we got the call," he added.

Anyone with information is asked to call 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.