A DISABLED man today spoke of the horrific moment when he was knocked to the ground and attacked while walking his dog.

Michael Doyle, who is partially sighted, was walking his 17-year-old Cairn Terrier, Josephine, between Hags Lodge, Hyndburn Road, Accrington, and the bowling green overlooking the lodge, when he heard voices.

The 54-year-old, of Steiner Street, Accrington, was making his way back to the road when he was subjected to the attack, which left him with eye injuries and cuts and bruises to his head.

The next thing he remembers is waking up battered and bruised. Mr Doyle went home, but his wife had gone out for the evening, so he went to a telephone box and called an ambulance.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where he spent three days being treated for his injuries.

The incident, which took place at midnight on Friday, May 23, also left the victim with cuts to his head.

"I had just taken my dog for a walk, I do every night. I walked part of the way up and I could hear people talking but presumed they were on the superstore car park," he said.

"When I woke up I was on the floor and I had no idea how long I had been there.

"I thought I had fallen, but I had bruises on the back of my head, one at the front and another on the side, and a big bruise on my forehead.

"I also had a bruise under my right arm on my ribs. I must have put my hand up to stop them and that's all bruised as well."

Mr Doyle had to give up his job as a class one lorry driver 18 months ago after contracting Graves disease, an illness affecting the sight.

He also has arthritis and is in the early stages of glaucoma, another disease leading to gradual loss of sight.

Police have called the attack cowardly and asked for help in catching the perpetrators.

DS Simon Giles, of Accrington CID, said: "We would appeal for any witnesses or anybody who knows anything to contact us. This was a particularly cowardly attack, it's the nastiness of the injuries really."

Witnesses should call Accrington CID on 01254 353741 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.