A DISABLED man who was kicked to the grou- nd and robbed said he was "overwhelmed" by messages of support he had received.

Paul Tokarski, 37, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has asthma and is deaf, was attacked and had his MP3 music player stolen as he completed the paper round he does to earn extra money for his family.

He even had his hearing aids ripped from his ears and stolen by the thieves.

Now offers to buy him a new MP3 player have been made and Mr Tokarski, of Mount Street, Accrington, said that it shows "there are some good people around".

He is now going to be fitted for a new hearing aid on Thursday and said he has now been outside for the first time, accompanied by his stepson Robert.

The Lancashire Telegraph website has received many messages of support for Mr Tokarski.

Mr Tokarski's wife, Sheila, 56, said that his whole family, including three stepchildren, had been left outraged by the incident. She said: "We just can't believe this has happened. I think they just saw Paul as an easy target. He looks quite frail.

"It is disgusting that anyone could even think of attacking him and even more sickening that they took his hearing aids."

They said they were desperate to catch those responsible for the attack, in Accrington.

Mr Tokarski, said: "I was so scared and after they knocked me to the floor I just curled up in a ball to stop them hurting me.

"They kept punching and kicking me and I could feel their hands all over me checking my pockets."

The incident happened between 6am and 6.30am on Tuesday when Mr Tokarski was about to start his daily round.

As he walked along the cycle track between Mount Street and Manchester Road he was approached by four men.

Police said one of the gang knocked him to the floor while the others repeatedly kicked him.

DC Mark Cruise said: "This was a cowardly attack on a vulnerable man."

Anyone with information should contact Accrington CID on 01254 353741 or Crimestoppers anonymou-sly on 0800 555 111.