A MAN was left with a fractured skull after he was violently set-upon by a group of men.

An appeal has been launched after the man and his friend were assaulted in Blackpool after one of them refused to hand a cigarette out when approached by a large group.

Detectives working on the case have reason to believe that the large group of men who initiated the assault were in the Resort to watch Blackpool vs Blackburn Rovers and that they may have links to East Lancashire.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The incident happened at around 7pm on Saturday, October 2nd in the smoking area of the Soul Suite on Blackpool Promenade, when one of the victims – a 23-year-old man from Derbyshire – was approached by a group of men.

They have asked him for a cigarette and on saying no, the group, along with others they were in company with, have threatened and punched him.

Both he and his friend have ended up on the floor being kicked and stamped on. He has ended with facial injuries and the second victim, 29, and also from Derbyshire, suffered a fractured skull.

Lancashire Telegraph:

DC Danny Farrell from Blackpool Police said: “To think that someone could be kicked and stamped on to the point of injury, just for refusing to give a cigarette, is beyond belief and utterly appalling.

“We believe that the offenders may have links to Blackburn and could have been in the resort that day to watch the Blackpool v Blackburn Rovers football match.

“I would urge people to look at the men in the images and if you recognise them, or indeed you know anything about this incident at all, please get in contact with us.”

You can email 4096@lancashire.police.uk or can call 101 quoting incident reference 629 of October 3rd.