A 33-YEAR-OLD man suffered serious facial injuries when a gang of up to 10 youths punched and kicked him several times in an unprovoked attack.

Police said the man was walking through Walverden Park in Nelson when he was set upon and knocked unconscious by the gang.

As he walked from the direction of Southfield Street towards Brunswick Street he passed the group of between eight and 10 young men, officers said.

Members of the gang tried to trip up the man before punching him in the back of the head, causing him to fall to the ground.

As the man lay on the ground, police said he was kicked in the head a number of times.

He was knocked unconscious and sustained a cut and heavy swelling to his nose, bruising to both eyes and stiffness to his neck.

Following the assault he was taken by ambulance to the Royal Blackburn Hospital and was kept in overnight for monitoring.

Detective Sergeant Neil Marr, of Lancashire Police, described the attack, which took place at around 6.30pm on Tuesday, as ‘completely unprovoked’.

He said: “This was an unprovoked and sustained attack on a lone man by a group who left him unconscious in the park.”

The gang members are described as Asian and in their late teens.

Police said they were keeping an open mind about the motive behind the attack, including whether it was racially motivated.

Anyone with information should call DS Marr or DC Persechino on 01282 472282 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.