THIS is the battered face of a 77-year-old man who was knocked unconscious in a motiveless attack.

Raymond Tennant was left nursing a fractured jaw, broken teeth and gashes to his head.

The yoga and DIY enthusiast, said that he only escaped without further serious injuries because he was so fit and healthy.

The former HGV driver, who retired four years ago, is now recovering from his injuries at home in Mill Hill.

He said: “Thinking about the attack I know it could have been much worse. I’m going to be allright but if I had not been as strong as I am it could have been a very different story.

“I can’t understand it at all and it has left me feeling very angry.”

Mr Tennant was found by his wife Sheila slumped in their kitchen following the attack in an area of grass known as the “Rec” between Hollin Bridge Street and Aqueduct Road in Blackburn.

He was knocked unconscious after being struck initially by a heavy blow to the back of the head.

He eventually made it home and was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital. Mr Tennant, a father-of-four and a grandfather-of-four, is unable to eat solid food and is being cared for by his wife and family.

Mrs Tennant said: “He’ll get better but it is terrifying to think something like this can happen so close to home.

“He had been at the Stakes Hall pub and was walking home. I have told him and his friends that he will be getting a taxi in the future.”

The family has lived in Mill HIll for over 40 years and Mrs Tennant said support from the community had been overwhelming.

Two men from Blackburn, aged 19 and 17, are being quizzed by police on suspicion of assault.

Police branded the attack ‘disgusting, unprovoked and nasty’.

Anybody with information about the incident, just before midnight on Saturday, should call 01254 51212.