A MAN left scarred for life after being slashed with a knife today pleaded with clubbers to make sure it never happens to anyone else.

Michael Clitheroe was cut from behind his ear to under his chin by William Fullerton during an unprovoked attack on a night out.

As Michael, from Accrington, staggered back to the friend he had been out drinking with -- who had also been attacked -- witnesses watched Fullerton raise his hands in the air to give a victory salute before running off.

Two blades he was carrying were clearly visible to CCTV operators, who caught the whole, horrific incident on camera.

Fullerton, 39, of Hornby Street, Accrington, who himself is scarred on the face following an attack in Scotland, is beginning a 10 year jail sentence after being convicted by a jury of grievous bodily harm, at Burnley Crown Court this week.

Detective Sergeant Neil Hunter, who led the investigation into the incident, today said the sentence showed how violent behaviour would not be tolerated. And Michael, speaking for the first time about the ordeal, said: "I am just glad he is behind bars and off the streets. He is a danger to the public. He had no reason to attack me, it could have been anyone.

"Now people need to make sure something like this doesn't happen again. I think about the incident every day.

"If people know friends do carry weapons like knives, I would urge them to tell them to stop taking them out because I am an example of the consequences.

"We were just quiet people out for a drink that night.

"I will remember what happened forever and although the man responsible is now behind bars, I hope it serves to persuade other people not to carry weapons.

"I will be scarred for life for what happened that night, but it is not so much the physical wounds which trouble me now as the psychological ones.