A TEENAGER who suffered a double fracture of his skull after an alleged attack with a golf club may never hear again.

Steven Heyward, 17, has lost his hearing and doctors were today uncertain if it would come back.

He is described as 'poorly but improving' and keeps passing in and out of consciousness.

Steven has been taken out of the high dependency unit at the Royal Preston Hospital where he is on the head injuries ward. His parents have been keeping a vigil at his beside.

He was taken to hospital after an incident on the playing fields at Darwen Moorland High School on Monday night which involved two groups of youths.

Michael Box, 17, claims he was also struck with a golf club. He suffered a dislocated shoulder, cuts and bruises to his face and a broken thumb.

Police said that Steven and Michael had gone to the playing fields to recover golf clubs and balls belonging to friends aged about 12 that had been taken by older boys.

A 15 year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has appeared in court charged with two offences of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was remanded on bail to appear before the youth court on Tuesday after appearing before Blackburn Magistrates on Wednesday.

Conditions of his bail include living at an address in Blackburn, not to enter Darwen except when accompanied by an adult and not to contact witnesses.

A second youth was interviewed by police, but not charged.

And police today reiterated their plea for anyone with information about the incident to contact them. The number is 01254 353841.