A WOMAN swung a machete with an 18-inch blade into a terrified football player's head after his game with friends was interrupted by a fight.

The 20-year-old victim needed stitches for two large cuts and was detained in hospital after the incident, in Sharp Street, Burnley.

Police said the man, who has not been named, was playing football with two friends at an all-weather pitch when they were approached by two other men who started a conversation at about 4.30pm on Monday.

A fight broke out between the two groups and the pair ran away, leaving the friends to continue with their game. But police said when the friends finished their game and began walking along Sharp Street the men returned, this time accompanied by a woman walking with a crutch.

They said the woman produced a machete and attacked the man with it, hitting him around the head several times.

Det Sgt Simon Chater said: "The man has had to have stitches to two large cuts in his head but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

"We are hopeful that someone will have seen something as the group involved in this attack was quite distinctive."

Both men are described as being aged about 18. One was 5ft 6ins, of medium build with dark brown hair showing under a dark coloured hat. He wore a dark jacket and had brown eyes.

The second man was slightly smaller and wore a beige hooded sweatshirt.

The woman who carried out the attack has been described as 5ft 2ins, around 40 and slim. She wore a baseball cap and dark clothing.

The attack has shocked the community. Frances Monk, chairman of the Burnley Lane Residents' Action Group, said: "It is sickening - nothing warrants a machete attack."

The mum-of-six, who lives in Walpole Street, said: "I won't let my children play on the park at the recreation ground - all the parents round here sit out on their walls while the children play in the street.

"It is a shame because this could be such a nice area and we are working hard to try improve facilities and make it better."

Anyone with information should call Burnley Police on 01282 425001.

A 14-year-old male and a 33-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with an alleged assault and were being interviewed by police today.