SURGEONS are battling to save the life of a man who was "brutally" attacked in a Blackburn street by a stick-wielding gang.

The 34-year-old was transferred to the special head injuries unit at Preston Royal Hospital yesterday after his condition deteriorated following an attack as he left a New Year's party.

His condition is described "severe".

Detectives are now hoping to speak to witnesses to the assault, which happened at around 2.30am on New Year's Day at the junction of St Aiden's Avenue and New Chapel Street in Mill Hill, Blackburn.

Det Insp Paul Withers said the victim had been enjoying a night out in Blackburn town centre before walking home alone.

As he was making his was down the street he was confronted by three men.

Insp Withers said: "These men were wielding wooden sticks.

"They then set about the victim for no reason and beat him relentlessly.

"He suffered severe head injuries."

After leaving their victim slumped on the roadside the attackers ran off.

The victim was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital but after suffering a bleed on the brain he is now in the critical care unit in Preston.

Bet Insp Withers added: "This was a very nasty incident resulting in substantial injuries."

Detectives said that there were a number of witnesses to the attack but they are hoping to speak to anyone else who may have seen what happened.

Officers have recovered some of the weapons used in the assault.

The attacker were all white males aged in their late teens or early 20s.

The pieces of wood were all around 18 inches long, four inches wide and two inches thick.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 01254 51212.