A MAN suffered a suspected fractured skull when he was repeatedly struck with a baseball bat after an argument with a car driver.

The vicious attack took place seconds after the 52-year-old victim had accused the driver of going through a puddle and splashing him.

Now, detectives are continuing their investigations into the brutal assault which took place outside the Metrolink Station in Stanley Road, Whitefield.

The injured man, who is from Prestwich, was treated in Fairfield General Hospital for a suspected fractured skull and multiple cuts and bruises to his head and body.

Detective Sergeant Duncan Heywood of Bury police said: "The man was walking from Unsworth to the Metrolink station at Whitefield.

"While on Stanley Road, a vehicle went past him and through a puddle and splashed the man. He remonstrated with the driver.

"The vehicle stopped and the driver got out and punched the man in the face, causing him to fall to the ground." He added: "Then, the driver went to the car and got out a baseball bat and struck the man on the head. He continued to strike him about the head and body before getting back into his car and driving off."

Detectives are now anxious to trace the thug. He is described as a white male, aged 25-35, 5ft 9ins, with short fair hair and of stocky build. He weighed around 13 stone and was wearing a short sleeved dark top and dark trousers. He drove what police describe as a two-door dark saloon.

Anyone with information about the attack, which happened at 9.20pm on Friday (Sept 21), is asked to ring Whitefield CID on 856 8240.