A MAN is "lucky to be alive" after being struck in the face and seriously injured with an axe after a row over a motorbike.

The victim received severe facial wounds including a gash below his left ear which required surgery.

Police have not named the 23-year-old man but local residents know him as Terry Hart.

The incident happened at 9.15pm on Saturday at a house in Ballantrae Road, Shadsworth. It is believed the victim lives nearby.

The man was taken to Blackburn Infirmary, which was put on stand-by and underwent an operation yesterday. Inspector Steven Haworth of Blackburn Police said the victim had been involved in an argument over a motorbike and was lucky to be alive. "The blow could have killed him if it was half-an-inch either way," he said. "We are treating this as attempted murder at the moment," he said.

Police yesterday carried out door-to-door inquiries in the area.

Last night residents in the street where the incident occurred said they were frightened of talking about the incident. One told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph they had heard a commotion and seen a pool of blood on the floor.

"I saw a girl carrying the man's jacket," the resident added. "And it was just covered in blood. I heard windows being smashed and then all the police came. He must have lost an awful lot of blood."

A neighbour of the victim described him as "a quiet and popular lad."

"I have known him for a couple of years and he seems a good man," he said. "I think everyone was shocked when we heard what had happened and we all hope he is all right."