A MAN may be scarred for life after being glassed in the face during a disturbance near a bar.

The 23-year-old man was attacked on the green at Wellington Fold, Darwen, after a group of men were ejected from nearby Bar Java for fighting on Thursday night.

Detective Sergeant Ian Critchley said a glass was pushed into the man's face during a disturbance, leaving him with extensive injuries, which could scar him for life.

He is being treated in Blackburn Royal Infirmary where police are due to interview him to take his statement.

Another man was also taken to the hospital with a wound to his hand.

Bernard Coupe, the bar's marketing manager, said staff had been left "shocked" by the incident.

"Some guys were thrown out by our bouncers for fighting," he said. "No-one was glassed inside the bar."

He said Bar Java had two bouncers on duty on Thursday monitoring 101 customers while clubs where legally required to have one bouncer for every 100 people.

"This is an isolated incident and we deplore violence in any of our venues and if the culprits are caught we will assist the police to secure conviction," he said.

"We would also ban them from entering our bar again."

Bar Java reopened in November with a change of name from Club Savanna after a £200,000 revamp. It also became the feeder bar for Privilege Night Club, in Market Street.

It is open on Thursdays until 2am, and Friday, Saturday and Sundays until 1am.

DS Critchley also appeal for any witnesses to come forward. Call Darwen CID on 01254 353842 or Crimestoppers of 0800 555 111.