A TEENAGER'S ear was almost severed when he was attacked with a broken bottle at a Blackburn nightclub.

Soldier Mark Greenwood, 18, was home on leave when he was attacked at Never Never Land, Blackburn, according to police.

PC Stuart Roberts said doormen are thought to have ejected Mark and his attacker from the nightclub and the attack is believed to have continued on Darwen Street in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Mark, who won an award for best recruit when he finished training earlier this year, then tried to make his way back to his home in Lytham Road, Higher Croft. PC Roberts said: "He was found by a police officer covered in blood in Morecambe Road.

"He had a partially severed ear and a serious neck wound. "If the cut had been an inch lower it would probably have been fatal.

"As it is, he is likely to be scarred for life."

The former Bank Hey special school pupil was taken to his home then to Blackburn Infirmary.

"He was transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital for cosmetic surgery and has now been released.

Police are examining footage from a security camera in the club and are also planning to examine tapes from cameras in Darwen Street.

PC Roberts said: "We are concerned with the way the door staff have acted and we have seized tapes from the club to clarify what happened."

Police are appealing for witnesses. If anyone was in the nightclub at the time of the assault, or in Darwen Street, they are asked to contact Blackburn police on 01254 51212.