A 22-YEAR-OLD man was celebrating today after being told he would not lose the sight in his right eye after a glassing attack.

Simon Frith, who lives with his mother on St James' estate in Darwen, had to undergo emergency surgery in January after an incident at the Office pub, Holden Fold, on New Year's Day.

Doctors removed a piece of glass from his eye last month.

Surgeons at Burnley General Hospital have operated again to examine the damage and told him his retina has not been damaged.

He had another appointment today to see how much of his sight would be restored.

Mum Sue Freear said: "The operation was cancelled last Thursday because of some sort of staffing problem but went ahead yesterday.

"He was very worried about the operation and he didn't really want talk about it much.

"Simon has had so much support from his five brothers and his sister. She drives from Lincoln to see him."

Sue was overjoyed to hear that the operation had been a success.

She said: "The surgeons found yesterday that there was no damage to the retina and that's great news but now he has appointment today to see what's happening and how much of his sight will be restored.

"We are all very happy about the news and now it's just a question of keeping our fingers crossed.

"We are all very hopeful."

Simon stayed in hospital overnight.

Sue spoke of the support Simon had received since the incident.

She said: "The phone just hasn't stopped ringing and people stop us in the street to see how he is.

"We just hope that continues because it really picks him up and gives him a lift. It's so nice that people are coming together to help him."