A MAN who had his skull fractured in a late night street robbery in Blackburn today condemned his attackers as 'animals'.

Stewart Timperley, 52, was walking across the car park at Ivy Street Community Centre at about midnight on Friday night when he was approached from behind by two men who demanded cash.

They punched and kicked him to the ground leaving him bleeding and unconscious before stealing his watch, worth £25, £5 cash and two credit cards.

Police hunting the attackers have described the assault as 'vicious and cowardly.'

Mr Timperley, of Manxman Road, Blackburn, was left with a fractured skull, fractured ribs and severe bruising to his face. He has now been discharged from Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

The furniture assembler said: "I think these people are absolute animals and they deserve everything they get when they are caught.

"They don't seem to have any conscience at all, they just came up behind me and started attacking me.

"They started kicking and punching me and I think I must have passed out because I don't remember much more about it.

"Luckily, someone came past after they had run off and called an ambulance, because I couldn't walk.

"I still feel really groggy and have just been told to stay at home and rest."

Det Insp Mark Gray, of Blackburn CID, said: "This was a particularly vicious and cowardly attack on a defenceless member of the public. I would urge anyone with information to come forward to help us catch these attackers as quickly as possible."

Police described one of the attackers as a white man, aged in his late 20s, about 5ft 10 to 6ft tall, medium build, wearing a black baseball cap, a black jacket with orange pads on the shoulders and dark trousers.

There was no description of the second man, but both spoke with local accents.

Anyone with information should call Blackburn CID on 353569 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.