A 50 year-old-man said he feared for his life after being attacked outside his place of work.

Paul Sperring, 50, was leaving Barden Mill, Burnley, at around 9.30pm when he was confronted by a large gang of youths.

The project manager at the company was kicked repeatedly as he lay on the ground during the unprovoked attack.

Police said they are now hunting the gang who carried out the “viscious assault”.

Mr Sperring said: “I was terrified when I was on the floor. I thought that if I fought back it would have made things worse for me, especially if they were carrying weapons.

“I curled up into a ball and tried to protect my head. I couldn’t tell how many of them were kicking me.”

Sperring was on his way home from work when he was approached by the gang near the Barden Mill carpark.

The gang started swearing at the 50-year-old who walked past quickly with his head down.

One of the gang members followed Sperring, jumped on his back and forced him to the ground.

He said: “I don’t usually work that late, so these things are less likely to happen to me.

"However, the path I was on is the only way that I can go, so there’s no chance for me to avoid that route in the future.”

Sperring was later found on the floor by a passer-by carrying a torch.

He recieved injures to the head, neck and hands in the attack which occured outside Barden Mill.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.