A MAN was left with a broken jaw after being hit over the head with a bottle of wine in an unprovoked attack outside a pub.

Detectives said the 19-year-old, from Haslingden, was awaiting surgery at Blackburn Royal Hospital last night.

He was on a night out with friends in Haslingden when he was assaulted outside The Commercial pub at the junction of Manchester Road and Deardengate at around 2am on Sunday.

Detective Sergeant Martin Storey from Pennine CID said: “It was quite a nasty assault which we are treating very seriously. The attack was completely unprovoked. The victim had been minding his own business and enjoying a night out with his friends when we believe he was hit over the head with a bottle of wine.

“We believe the offender then ran off in the direction of Blackburn Road.

“It’s a serious matter and we want to get to the bottom of it.”

Police said the offender was a white man in his 20s, who was around 6ft and stocky.

DS Storey said: “An investigation is underway, but there were numerous people in the area at the time this happened. I’d ask anyone who is able to provide information to contact police directly on the non emergency line 101 quoting the log number LC-20130721-0266.”

Or you can ring Crime-stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org.