A MAN who was beaten and left for dead on an Accrington street is out of intensive care.

Dennis Shaw, of Kingston Avenue, suffered head injuries in what police called a "ferocious and sustained attack" by two thugs.

Mr Shaw was found outside Imran and Nathan's Snooker and Leisure Club in Richmond Road, Accrington, by a passer-by who called an ambulance and tried to comfort him as he lay groaning on the ground.

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

The attack happened at 1.15am on Saturday, and Mr Shaw was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital where was put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit. A hospital spokesman said today Mr Shaw had been put on a ward and was improving.

Police are still waiting to interview him. 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.