A LAUGHING mob used a Ramsbottom man's head like a football when they launched a savage and unprovoked attack on him.

Since the attack, nearly three weeks ago, the victim has endured hours of surgery to repair his shattered face.

He is recovering at home as police step up the hunt for the offenders who have been described as "animals" by the victim.

"I got the impression they enjoyed it," said the father-of-two, who does not want to be named. His injuries included fractures to both eye-sockets, his upper jaw, cheekbones and knuckles and severe bruising to other parts of his body.

"I don't know whether the attack lasted for two minutes or ten. But I remember lying on the floor, almost choking on my own blood and hearing someone laughing."

The 43-year-old managed to crawl to The Masons pub where he had been enjoying a night out before the attack happened at 1am on Sunday, October 24.

After receiving treatment to a gash to the back of his head, he was later admitted to Blackburn Royal Infirmary's head injuries unit where surgeons repaired damaged bone tissue and inserted metal plates and pins into his face.

Speaking exclusively to the Bury Times, the victim said he was surrounded in Holt Street by five or six youths.

He said: "One of them put his arm around my throat and dragged me down and they started kicking me, using my head like a football.

"I don't know if I slipped into unconsciousness but I do remember them laughing. They are just animals."

The contracts manager for a Manchester building company is expected to be away from work until the new year.

One of the offenders has been described as a white male, about 5ft 9ins and of medium build. He was wearing a blue and white striped top and had short blond/light ginger hair. All the other gang members were wearing hooded tops.

Anyone with information can contact Bury CID can be contacted on 0161 856 8150 or information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.