AN OUTRAGED wife today demanded action after an overgrown tree prevented CCTV capturing a violent attack on her husband.

Elaine Nicholson made the plea after learning that police didn't see the "horrendous" incident which left Mark, 34, with a fractured skull because leaves from the cherry tree blocked the camera.

Today police admitted they had asked Hyndburn Council to remove the tree, which is in the Accrington town centre conservation area and subject to a preservation order, and said the same problem also affected cameras elsewhere in the borough.

And Hyndburn Council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe said either the tree or the camera had to go in the interests of public safety.

Elaine, who lives in Rishton, said: "My husband could have died, then there would have been uproar. What's more important -- saving lives and catching people or some tree?"

Mark was on a night out to celebrate the birth of his third child, a girl, when he was beaten unconscious and repeatedly kicked in an unprovoked attack at around midnight on Saturday night.

He was attacked by two men on the corner of Church Street and Holme Street, in the town centre, after being separated from his friends.

Mark, whose other children are two boys aged four and five, was beaten so ferociously that he could not remember who he was until the following afternoon.

He is due to remain in Blackburn Infirmary for a week.

Elaine, 25, said: "What's galling is that the attack happened right under the camera but all it could see was the tree.

"He is in an awful state. We were in the hospital and people were walking past and he was gripping my hand, he was really intimidated.

"He's having a really awful time of it, because of his battered face he looks like somebody who had gone out, got drunk and got himself in a fight, which is just not the case."

Leader of Hyndburn Council Coun Peter Britcliffe said: "We need to look at this situation and it seems very obvious that something needs to be moved -- either the tree or the CCTV camera."

Inspector Phil Cottam said he had sympathy with the family and added: "Where the camera is sited the tree does obstruct the view. It is one of those issues that is difficult to resolve. The tree is listed and secondly it would require planning permission to pull it down."

"It has been looked at in the past by the council and the police but it was deemed not necessary to pull it down. The camera system is run by the council, we are just a partner."

"There are a number of locations in Accrington where cameras do have trees in close proximity to them. We run the CCTV as safely and efficiently as possible, but trees do get in the way when leaves appear in the summer.

"Before any decision to move it we would survey which location gives the best view.

"That location is exceptional for providing a general view of that area and we would have to weigh up the pros and cons of moving it."

Coun Jean Battle, of Church ward, said: "The council puts preservation orders on trees and so it can take them off.

"You have to look at the community safety aspect and the council has a duty to address this as well as preserving trees. If the camera can't be moved then the tree should be taken down."

DC John Wrintmore said: "This was a wholly unprovoked and horrendous attack, the victim was just walking along trying to catch friends up after losing them in the Bridge Inn."

Witnesses are asked to call Accrington CID on 01254 353743.