POLICE have issued descriptions of two men they want to interview about an unprovoked attack on a Bacup man whose cheeks, forehead, chin and thumb were slashed with a knife.

Gerard Goodwin, 31, of Rochdale Road, was walking towards his mother's house on the Pennine Road estate at 2.10am on Friday when he was attacked at the end of Regent Street.

The men were both white and wearing bob type hats with eye holes cut out and dark clothing.

The knife man was described as 6ft, thin and wiry while his accomplice was 5ft 8ins and of stockier build.

No weapon had been recovered.

The incident may be linked with one on June 5 when two 17-year-olds were slashed about the face and neck while walking in the town centre.

David Ticehurst, of Pennine Road, received 47 stitches to wounds in his face and Darren Mounsey, of Regent Street, was slashed across the throat.

They had been walking on a footpath behind Bacup Health Centre between Rochdale Road and Hammerton Green when they were attacked.

Police said today they were considering links but were not able to say whether the attacks were carried out by the same people.

Mr Goodwin suffered slash wounds to his cheeks, chin, above his right eye, the bridge of his nose and his right thumb was injured in a defensive action.

His injuries were treated at Rochdale Infirmary where his wounds were glued together and secured by plasters, he did not need stitches.

Police confirmed Mr Goodwin and Mr Ticehurst know each other.

Mr Goodwin ran to the Waterloo Pub on Union Street and woke the landlord up to raise the alarm.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact them on 01282 237442.