AN 80-year-old was battered and kicked to the ground by a gang of muggers who attacked him for his last fiver.

Victim Kevin Corrigan today said he was lucky to be alive and police said they were appalled by the cowardly crime.

Mr Corrigan was punched to the ground and kicked by four young men early yesterday.

He suffered a possible fractured nose, a gashed forehead, a black eye and cuts on his hands.

The gang made off with just £5 -- the only money he had left in his wallet after a night out.

Mr Corrigan, of the Sudellside area of Darwen, was walking home from his local bowling club where he is a member, at around 1am.

He said he was just yards from his home when the gang -- two of whom were wearing Blackburn Rovers home shirts -- jumped on him and launched the vicious attack.

Mr Corrigan, who was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary after the attack, said: "I was in a daze and I don't remember much about it.

"I think I must have blacked out.

"I managed to have a go back and think I almost knocked one of them out.

"I am lucky to be alive."

Mr Corrigan said the men stole 200 cigarettes from him and rifled through his wallet, which contained just £5.

He said: "It was not worth their while. I could have been killed for this."

After struggling back to his house, the battered pensioner went to a neighbour's house, who called the police.

Mr Corrigan was then taken to Blackburn Infirmary.

Mr Corrigan's daughter Kathleen said: "I was absolutely shocked when I first saw him. He has had a battering and these people are disgusting.

"They could have killed him"

Detective Sergeant Sally Riley, of Blackburn police said: "We are appalled at this incident.

"It was a cowardly attack on a vulnerable member of society.

"We will relentlessly pursue these offenders."

"We are anxious to trace witnesses to this incident and anyone who saw the attack or a gang of four white males aged 18 to 30."

The men are also described as all about 5ft 11in tall, wearing baseball caps and two were wearing Blackburn Rovers blue and white home shirts.

Anyone with any information can contact Darwen CID on 01254 353841 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.