A DISABLED man attacked by a gang of youths today pleaded: "Stop bullying me."

Brian Peel, 34, said he was attacked in Darwen on Friday night after drinking with friends at Highfield Working Men's Club, in Ratcliffe Street.

He had left the club at midnight and walked along Sudell Road on to Nancy Street.

As he reached the corner of Nancy Street and Joseph Street, he was picked on by a gang of seven teenagers who knocked off his glasses and slapped his face. Mr Peel, who is unemployed, believes he is being victimised because he is registered blind and suffers from a hearing impairment.

He said: "I am scared to go out because I feel like I am being bullied.

"On Saturday night I was heading home when the group of 15-year-olds all ganged up on me and knocked off my glasses.

"Luckily someone came along and picked them up because I can't see much at all without them.

"I can't hear if people are behind me. It has happened several times over the last year and I am sick of being picked on. I want them to stop bullying me.

"I don't think it is fair that as a disabled person I should be stopped from going to my local pub just because of a gang of youngsters.

"I want more police presence to make me feel safe."

The incident was reported to the police in Darwen and officers visited Mr Peel on Saturday to get details of what happened.

Mr Peel's mother, Lilian, said: "Police said they would look in to it. It would be better if there was someone on patrol. I am frightened of what will happen next.

"They seem to pick on him because he is disabled."

Duty inspector Andrea Bradbury confirmed that police inquiries into the assault were continuing and that a previous incident of theft and assault on Mr Peel had been reported to police by his mother in February.