A DOCTOR and a staff nurse were attacked by a patient in a hospital's casualty unit.

Thomas Hindle, who had been drinking, punched both while they were trying to care for him at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Three police officers then had to spend one hour and 20 minutes restraining him.

Hindle, a jobless 32-year-old of Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, admitted assaulting Dr Mark Rigg and Staff Nurse Mrs Denise Kennedy.

His case was adjourned to January 4 by Blackpool magistrates for reports.

Prosecutor Malcolm Cartright said the defendant was taken in with an injury to his forehead.

As Staff Nurse Kennedy treated him in a cubicle Hindle, who was heavily under the influence of alcohol, brought his clenched fist down and hit her on the front of the head.

The nurse screamed and Dr Rigg arrived.

The prosecutor said: "The defendant became extremely violent lashing out with his arms and legs. He was restrained by staff for 15 minutes and then taken to X-ray when he proceeded to punch Dr Rigg in the face."

"Police were called and because of the defendant's extreme violence, three officers spent one hour 20 minutes restraining him before medical staff could be re-admitted to sedate him."

Angelo Saponiere, defending, said Hindle turned to drink after losing his job two years ago.