A GANG of thugs kicked and punched a man to the ground on The Rock, Bury, before turning on his wife and kicking her in the head.

Janet Bailey (49), from Chesham Fold, is now too terrified to venture into Bury town centre after youths she believes were part of the gang hurled abuse at her and husband Graham (38) the next day in Bury's Mill Gate Centre.

The couple had been walking home from a fairground on the Rock around 10pm on Tuesday (Sept 18) when four youths started swearing at them opposite the Wilkinson DIY store.

Mr Bailey shouted back and the gang disappeared, only to re-emerge from bushes moments later with reinforcements.

At least half a dozen Asian youths then set upon Mr Bailey, punching and kicking him. When he fell to the ground, the youths then threw his wife into the road and began to kick her in head.

Mrs Bailey said: "They started on me, but Graham got up and they attacked him again.

"He has epilepsy and was worried that he might have a fit. I have been crying all the time since because I just can't believe it happened."

A passing couple called the police and the gang fled. Mr Bailey was taken to Bury General with injuries to his head and wrist but was released later that night. His wife suffered a bruised head and elbow.

The next day, while Mr Bailey was buying spectacles to replace a pair broken in the attack, two youths began shouting at them. Staff at the optician's had to evacuate the couple through the rear entrance.

Mr Bailey, who has no movement in his fingers following the attack, told the Bury Times: "It's getting to the stage where my wife is terrified of going into the town.

"I'm just shell-shocked. Words couldn't even begin to describe what I think of those people. I'm just disgusted with it all."

Police, who are looking for six youths in connection with the attack, say they are examining CCTV footage taken on the night. Anyone with information should contact 856 8157.