A MAN was undergoing surgery today to rebuild his jaw after he was left in a pool of blood following an attack in an alleyway.

Colin Ingham, 38, also needed 17 stitches in his face following the brutal attack as he walked home from a pub.

The unemployed scaffolder was walking through a ginnel off Cog Lane, Burnley, when he was set upon.

Colin, of nearby Greenock Close, had just left a pub at11pm on Saturday. Police do not yet know if any object was used in the attack. Police sealed off the ginnel between Cog Lane and Aidrie Crescent while they investigated the assault.

He had been playing pool and drinking in the Gretna Green on the corner of Coal Clough Lane and Cog Lane since Saturday afternoon.

Mr Ingham's partner for the past five years Pat Rickwood, 40, said: "He lost a lot of blood. If he had been a thinner man and not been as stocky he might have been killed."

She spent most of yesterday at his bedside in the ward at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and said he was struggling to speak and explain what had happened because he was in a lot of pain.

She said: "He is a regular at the Gretna Green where he goes to play pool but he has not been in there for a few weeks because he hasn't had any money.

"I don't know what has gone on because I was in on Saturday night."

She said his jaw had been broken in two places and he was due to be operated on today to have a plate fitted. She hoped he may be allowed home in a few days.

Mr Ingham was found by a friend's girlfriend while she was walking her dog.

Landlady at the Gretna Lorraine Hutchinson said: "I was upstairs and was told there was a fight outside the pub at 10.30pm but when I went to look there was no-one there.

"Then the police turned up and cleared the pub looking for anyone who had blood on them.

"I don't know what had gone on. He doesn't come in here a lot."

Police were able to speak to Mr Ingham in hospital yesterday afternoon and Detective Constable Dave Walker said they are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward because it is understood there were people in the area at the time of the assault.

A man had been arrested in connection with the attack and released on police bail.