A TEENAGER was kicked in the head by two attackers after he was jumped on as he walked home at night.

Daniel Brooks, 15, of Ribbleton Drive, Accrington, was returning from Thorneyholme Road at around 9.45pm when he was set upon from behind.

"A friend saw what was happening from a telephone box across the road and the two youths fled when he went to help.

Both attackers were Asian but police have ruled out a racial motive.

Daniel's father, Philip Benting, said: "I am now going to fear for my son's safety every time he goes out, because Philip is a good lad and doesn't like fighting, and to see what they have done to his face is shocking.

"This kind of spontaneous behaviour has to be stopped before things get out of hand, because it is usually innocent parties that end up getting hurt."

Daniel was checked over at Blackburn Royal Infirmary after Thursday night's attack but released with minor injuries. A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We know that Mr Benting is treating the incident as a racist attack and he is entitled to his opinion. This opinion is not that of the police, although investigations are still taking place.

"We are not linking the attack to anything that has happened in Burnley and the petrol bomb attacks in Accrington."

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with further information to contact them on 01254 382141 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.