THE landlady of one of Burnley's biggest pubs today described how a man's ear was almost sliced off when a "free for all" fight broke out.

Debra Cattle of the Brunshaw Hotel said a 31-year-old man was hit over the head with a stool during trouble at about 1am on Saturday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack after the man was taken to Burnley General Hospital to have part of his ear re-attached.

PC Darren Ware, of Burnley Police, said the man had been drinking with friends in the pub.

"There were a few people in the pub at the time. The man can't describe who the offenders were as he was jumped on by a lot of people he didn't recognise. He has supplied me with the numbers of his friends but none of them can identify the people.

"We would like to hear from anyone who may know who the offenders were or what happened."

The man also suffered bruising to the left side of his neck, a mark on the left side of his face, severe swelling and bruising to his left ear which required five stitches.

But Mrs Cattle said the man was at the centre of trouble and attacked her husband. She went on: "It was a really busy night.

"I had never seen the lad in the pub before. He was annoying customers early on. My husband got up to go to the toilet. He ran at my husband who is tall and thin so he was knocked over straight away. He went on top of him then some of the customers went to get him off. They have ended up with black eyes.

"Someone hit the lad over the head with a stool which sliced his ear. It was like a free-for-all."

She added: "We are now extremely worried in case anything else happens. We have three children upstairs."

Anyone with information should contact PC Ware on 01282 425001.