A 52-YEAR-OLD man today described the moment he was beaten unconscious in the street and robbed by three youths.

Michael Yates, a machine operator of Douglas Place in Roe Lee, Blackburn, was punched in the face as he walked home from a night out at Beechwood Road Working Men's Club.

The attack happened in Boland Street at 12.45am on Saturday.

Mr Yates said he was minding his own business as he made the regular journey home from his local club, a walk he had made many times without any trouble in the three years he has lived in Douglas Place.

He said he paid little attention to three Asian youths in their early 20s who were in front of him.

Mr Yates said: "As I walked past them I felt a blow to the side of my head. I think I was punched. I was knocked out and I don't really know how long it took me to wake up.

"When I woke up there was nobody around and I was lying on the pavement."

Mr Yates suffered a black eye, a cut to the back of the head and cuts to his legs, which he believes he sustained from further beatings while he was on the ground.

Mr Yates managed to make his way back home, where he lives on his own, and contacted his ex-wife and son-in-law who took him to Blackburn Royal Infirmary. He underwent X-rays and check-ups. Mr Yates said he is not comfortable with walking home on his own again.

He said: "I will get taxis in future. I'm not too bad physically but I'm a little shook-up."

Mr Yates had £160 worth of money stolen from his wallet.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Ian Geogarty at Blackburn CID on 01254 353569.