POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was beaten up in Blackburn town centre following a "road rage" incident.

The man, not been named by police, was taken to hospital after being kicked and punched in a busy town centre street by two thugs.

Police say the attack was a particuarly violent beating and are keen to trace the two attackers.

Their victim, who is in his 20s and from the Blackburn area, was a passenger in a car driven by his girlfriend.

The couple were forced to stop their Renault Clio car in Victoria Street close to its junction with Barbara Castle Way because four people were blocking the road. Two couples were involved in a heated argument, refused to move out of the way for the car and blocked the road completely when the driver tried to get around the group.

Words were exchanged and the man got out of the car to ask the group to move.

The two men broke off from their argument and attacked the man after knocking him to the ground. He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary and treated for cuts and bruises to his face and body.

Both attackers were white, in their mid 20s and stocky. One of the men was wearing a pink shirt and white jeans. His accomplice had blond hair and was wearing a light blue shirt and jeans

The incident took place in the early hours of Monday. Anyone with information should contact PC Dave Simpson at Great Harwood police station on 01254 884800.

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