A MAN attacked and left for dead on New Year's Day has returned home from hospital - and spoke for the first time about the assault.

Neil Roberts, 35, of Mill Hill, was knocked unconscious at about 2.30am on January 1, after visiting a pub with friends to see in 2007.

The last thing he remembers is walking from the pub, then waking up in hospital.

Police said a gang of three men had hit him with sticks in an unprovoked attack, leaving him slumped at the junction of St Aidan's Avenue and New Chapel Street.

Mr Roberts is now waiting for a scan to reveal whether a blood clot on his brain can be removed.

He said he had decided to speak out about his ordeal in a bid to encourage witnesses to come forward and help catch the yobs who attacked him.

Mr Roberts said: "I still can't remember what happened that day and I am having problems with other memories too.

"The last thing I remember is coming out of the pub really. I had only got in there at about 9.30pm so I wasn't that drunk.

"I told the police I haven't had trouble with anybody. I haven't had any rows or fights with anyone.

"There wasn't any trouble in the pub.

"I can't see the point of it.

"The police think I might have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"There was nothing stolen from me.

I just want to see them off the streets.

"If they can hit someone for no reason whatsoever, they're just idiots."

Mr Roberts had been drinking at the Waters Edge pub, Mill Hill, from about 9.30pm, leaving in the early hours.

According to the police, the attackers, believed to be three white men in their late teens or early 20s, attacked him before running off.

Mr Roberts was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital before being transferred for specialist care at Royal Preston Hospital.

He now suffers headaches, stiffness and bruising and is waiting for a scan to check the status of the blood clot. He is likely to be off work, at Pentland Distribution, Walker Road, Blackburn, for several weeks, and is regularly visited by family and friends to keep an eye on him.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to call them on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.