A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Haslingden has been left needing cosmetic surgery to his face after he was assaulted in a back alley near the Queen's Hotel in Rawtenstall early today.

The incident took place at 1.45am near the junction of St Mary's Way and Bank Street, opposite the Samrat Indian restaurant, and four young men are believed to have been involved.

The victim, who suffered substantial injuries to his face and arms, was taken to Bury General Hospital but was due to be transferred to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Detective Inspector Simon Leach, of Rawtenstall Police, said there had been a disturbance in the hotel, in the upstairs disco, shortly before the incident.

Door staff had thrown two men out of the front entrance and two others out of the rear of the hotel. Det Insp Leach added: "At that time of the morning the club is closing and emptying. Usually there are a lot of taxis about and a lot of people milling around Rawtenstall town centre.

"Anyone in the night club who may have seen the initial disturbance or any people outside in the street who saw a fight in the alley, just adjacent to the hotel, should call us.

"The injuries he received were pretty horrendous. We are particularly interested in talking to any taxi drivers who were in the area."

One of man thought to have been involved was described as white, in his early 20s, of medium build, about 5ft 7in, wearing a dark coloured top, possibly a fleece, with a lighter-coloured band around his chest.

A second description was of a white man, early 20s, also of average build, 5ft 8ins, wearing dark clothing.

Call Rawtenstall Police on 01706 237434, Burnley Police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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