AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a man was attacked outside of a nightclub in an alleged homophobic assault.

The man, who had been in Mode nightclub, Burnley, has said in a public Facebook post that he was having the ‘best night’ with his friends when he was attacked by three men shouting homophobic abuse at him.

The post continued: “One punched me twice in the face and kicked me repeatedly.

“I was doing absolutely nothing but walking to another bar hand in hand with my friend and all I remember is the men shouting f***** as they ran up to me and within seconds I was punched and kicked.

“If anyone saw anything at all around 4am please get in touch.

“I will never stop being myself and this proves why I fight for equality every single day.

“Love should never mean having to live in fear.”

Pictures of the victim’s face showing a black eye and bruised nose are circulating online in a post that has been shared almost 800 times.

A spokesman for the nightclub has said they are ‘deeply saddened’ by the incident, adding they will be doing all they can to ensure the offenders are brought to justice.

He said: “We are aware of the incident and it has yet to be confirmed if the offender had been in the premises on the evening.

“We are deeply saddened by the attack and we will work with all authorities to bring the offender to justice any way we can.”

The attack comes just weeks after two women were violently attacked on a bus in central London.

The pair, who were pictured covered in blood on the bus, said the attack had taken place after a group of men had asked them to kiss.

Four teenagers were arrested after the assault and a police investigation is ongoing.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police confirmed that they had received reports on an incident which had occurred at around 4am on Sunday morning.

A spokesman said: “It was reported that a man in his 20s had been approached by three unknown males, before one shouted homophobic abuse at him and a second male punched him to the face.

“We are currently treating it as an isolated and unprovoked attack.

“Our enquiries are ongoing.”

Call 101 with information.