POLICE have arrested a man after a teenager was left scarred for life by a knife-slasher.

The man, who is in his early 20s and is from Barnoldswick, was arrested over the weekend and interviewed by detectives.

Lee Myers, 18, of Blakeley Crescent, Barnoldswick, was cut from cheek to cheek following a row in the street last month.

Surgeons at Royal Preston Hospital have operated to repair damaged nerves and tendons in his left wrist, which was slashed three times in the attack.

Lee's mother Julia Myers described the attack, in a ginnel off Lower North Avenue, Barnoldswick, as a mother's worst nightmare.

Lee, a former student of West Craven High School who now works for Rose County Meats in Gisburn, was waiting to find out what the long-term damage to his wrist may be.

He has already had plastic surgery and will need physiotherapy once the wounds heal.

Lee was also slashed in the chest, leg, fingers and ear. His three friends had their their jeans cut and one was slashed four times in the neck

Lee's friends carried him to the Spar Shop, Gisburn Road, where they telephoned the police and ambulance and Lee's mother.

Detective Constable Steve Eccles said: "We have arrested a man who is denying his involvement in the incident.

"He has been bailed for inquiries to be made until the end of this month."