A 24-year-old man is still off work after suffering a broken cheek and double fracture in his wrist, when he was jumped on and kicked by two men in Rawtenstall town centre.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack which happened at about 2am on November 11 after the victim had been in Rawtenstall at the Crown Pub in Bacup Road watching the England v Sweden game.

Together with a couple of friends, the man, who comes from Accrington but did not want to be named, visited other pubs in the town and had got separated from them and was walking from the Queens near to Boots in Bank Street when he was jumped on.

The victim, a quality technician at a packaging company in Haslingden, said: "They kicked me around the head and body and then ran off.

"I was out with a couple of friends and I lost them and I went to try to find them. I didn't see these two men before they attacked me and I had had no disputes or falling-outs with anyone that night.

"It was unusual for us to be out in Rawtenstall for the night and we won't be back."

He suffered a broken cheek bone, which has healed, a double fracture to his wrist but, fortunately, the bones did not displace and the injury has been immobilised with a soft cast, and bruising to his head and leg. He said he was hoping to get back to work in the next two to three weeks.

PC Debbie Owen said: "This was a completely unprovoked and unnecessary attack and the man sustained really serious injuries.

"I am appealing for anyone who was in town on that night and may have seen something to contact the police."

The men were described as white, in their 30s with dark, neat hair, one was wearing a white top and the other a white tracksuit top. Both wore jeans.

Anyone with information can contact Rossendale CID on 01706 237442.