A MAN today spoke of his fear of walking in Blackburn town centre after a motiveless attack which left him unconscious.

James Owen was attacked from behind as he waited for a bus near the Tavern Pub, where he had been eating lunch with a friend.

The 59-year-old was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary for treatment on stab wounds to his left leg and severe head wounds. He was unconscious when paramedics arrived.

Police today appealed for witnesses to the serious assault which happened on Friday at around 4.30pm.

Mr Owen, of Temple Drive, Blackburn, has been left badly disorientated by the attack and is still struggling to piece together what happened. Police are due to interview him again today.

He said he was now wary of walking around the town centre alone and has installed new security technology to his first-floor flat.

"I was left totally shocked," he said. "There was nothing I could do and now I could not defend myself as I am too weak.

"I had left the pub after a quiet drink and lunch with a friend. I was just carrying my groceries to the bus stop to come home.

"The attackers pushed me from behind and then jumped on me. They hit me on my face and stabbed me in the leg."

The grandfather-of-three, who worked as a heavy goods lorry driver before suffering a heart attack which has put him on disability benefits, has been prescribed different medication to deal with the shock of the assault.

He added: "My family are horrified by it all and when my son comes home from working away, I know he will be devastated.

"It seems totally motiveless. I had shopping in my hands and £60 in my pocket but they did not take anything. They just pounced on me."

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: "We are aware of the incident which was reported to us on Wednesday night.

"This is a serious assault and we are keen to find who is behind it."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Blackburn Police on 01254 511212.