A 40-year-old man, who is fighting for his life, may have been attacked because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, police said today.

A major inquiry is under way after the midnight attack in the Coal Clough Lane area of Burnley.

The victim, who has not yet been named because relatives have still to be informed, suffered severe head injuries. He is in Burnley General Hospital where his condition is said to be critical.

He was injured in back Beverley Street, Burnley, near to where he lives. A local resident said he heard screams and shouting at precisely one minute after midnight.

Police have erected a tent over the spot where he was found.

It is understood a number of people were in the area at the time and police are appealing for them to come forward.

A local resident said: "We heard female screaming and men shouting just after midnight. It was followed by a lot of police activity.''

Detectives also want to know about another incident at around the same time at the Coal Clough Coaching House in which a car was damaged.

It is not known if the two events are connected.

Det Insp Ron Griffiths said: "We want to hear from witnesses to see whether the two incidents are linked.''

The victim had been to the Coal Clough public house lower down Coal Clough Lane from the Coaching House. He was making his way home with his girlfriend and another man when the attack occurred.

Det Insp Griffiths said: "Our understanding is he was making his way home after having had a drink. It would appear at this stage that the victim would have been unaware of any previous incident at the Coaching House.

"It would seem he was an innocent victim who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.''

A friend of the injured man said: "He is a nice quiet bloke. We can't believe it. He was a regular at the Coal Clough pub and enjoyed a pint."

Police are making house-to-house inquiries and are appealing for witnesses to contact Burnley CID on 01282 425001.

Three people were taken to Burnley police station and were being questioned by detectives this morning.

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