A "HAPPY slapping" attack victim today told how yobs laughed as they filmed an attack which left him with severe facial injuries.

The 30-year-old from Accrington, who did not want to be identified, said he was now too scared to leave his home.

He was walking his dog when he was attacked and subjected to "four minutes of hell" by three Asian men, one of whom filmed it on his mobile.

Police, who said it was the first so-called 'happy slapping' attack in Accrington, have appealed for anyone sent images of the assault via their mobile phone to come forward.

The man, who lives with his girlfriend, was left with a fractured cheekbone and underwent surgery earlier this week to put a metal plate in his face. His face and head were also cut.

He said: "I could have lost my eye. I can't feel the side of my face at the moment it is just tingling.

"Before I wouldn't think twice about going out at night, but since it happened I haven't been out of the house.

"The next day I was shaken, but I was also angry about what had happened."

He told how the attack unfolded and said: "There was a tap on my shoulder and I know it sounds stupid, but when I turned round I thought one of them had a gun, but then I realised that it was a mobile phone.

"I moved back and as I did one of them punched me which knocked me to floor then there were four minutes of hell as they punched and kicked me.

"I have got bruises on the back of my hands from trying to shield my head from the blows.

"The one with the phone was laughing and taking photos of what the others were doing.

"It just came out of nowhere -- I didn't even hear them coming up behind me."

Covered in blood, the victim had managed to make his way back home and only went to the hospital the next morning when his face was swollen and he realised he could not open his eye.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which happened on grassland at the end of Frederick Street, near to Hyndburn Road, at around 10.30pm on Wednesday, November 23.

The incident is not being treated as racist.

Sgt Mark Porter, from Accrington police, said: "This is a serious and completely unprovoked assault.

"This is the first time we have had anything like this in Accrington and it appears to be a one-off incident.

"But we do have to be wary of copy-cat incidents and that's why we really want to hear from anyone who has received pictures of this or any similar incidents on their mobile phone.

"Hopefully people will be sensible about it and we wont see this sort of thing happening here again."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Accrington police on 01254 353577 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.