A MAN who was beaten and left for dead on an Accrington street has spoken to police for the first time after the attack.

Dennis Shaw, of Kingston Avenue, suffered head injuries and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital after what police described as a "ferocious and sustained attack" by two thugs.

Detective Inspector Pete Broome, of Accrington CID, said: "Mr Shaw has recovered sufficiently for us to interview him.

"As a result of an initial interview we are now following further lines of inquiry.

"This was a ferocious and sustained assault and I would urge anyone with any information which may assist in the identification of the people responsible for that offence to contact police.

"Mr Shaw will be spoken to by officers further when he starts to recover more fully."

Mr Shaw was found outside Imran and Nathan's Snooker and Leisure Club in Richmond Road, Accrington, on Saturday August 3.

The passer-by who found him following the 1.15am attack called an ambulance and tried to comfort him as he lay groaning on the ground.

Mr Shaw had been kicked and punched unconscious leaving him with smashed bones in his face and other head injuries.

He was taken to hospital and put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit but has since been transferred to a ward.

His condition was today described as stable and recovering slowly.

Officers were unable to say whether the attackers were white or Asian, but both were believed to have been aged 16 to 30.

One was wearing a light-coloured baseball cap, the other a light-coloured sports top tied around his waist.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Accrington CID on 01254 353741, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.