jA 27-YEAR-OLD man was slashed across the throat and stabbed three times during a night out in Leigh.

His friend who tried to help was also stabbed in the leg during the unprovoked attack.

The incident happened as a group of three friends -- two 27-year-old men from Leigh and a 25-year-old man from Cheshire -- were walking towards the town centre when two thugs started shouting abuse at them. The victims were taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital but were later discharged after treatment.

The third man escaped without injury.

The knifeman is described as white, in his early 20s, tall, lanky and was wearing a white or cream coat.

Det Con Cath Greer of Leigh CID said: "These men were on their way to the town centre on a night out when they became the victims of a completely unprovoked attack by an armed man.

"One of the me n suffered multiple stab wounds and is lucky to have been discharged from hospital so quickly.

"Both men who were taken to hospital will need repeated treatment in the future.

"We would like to speak to a man with a beard on a mountain bike who we believe may have witnessed the incident.

"I am appealing to him, or anyone else who has any information that may help us with our investigation to contact the police immediately."

Call Leigh CID on 0161 856 7254 or call Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.