POLICE in Great Harwood are appealing for witnesses to an assault on an 18-year-old partially deaf girl.

The assault happened between 11.20pm and 11.40pm on Saturday night when the girl was walking to her home address in Hermitage Street, Rishton.

As she walked past the Walmersley pub, she saw a group of ten men in the late 20s or early 30s engage in an argument.

She crossed the road to avoid walking past them, but as she started to walk along Walmesley Street, turning left into Albert Street, she was aware that some of the group were following her.

As she got 15 yards along the street, someone appraoched her from behind, hit her on her left side, and knocked her unconscious.

When she came round some time later, she was about 40 yards from the spot where she had fallen in the entrance to a nearby alley, with injuries to the side of her face.

Sergeant Nigel Watson, of Great Harwood police, said the girl was left very shaken by the incident.

"Nothing was stolen and we don't really believe that it was a sexual motive at this time, but obviously, we are very keen to find any witnesses who have seen, or who know something about this assault."

If you can help, call police on 01254 382141.