DETECTIVES want to question three teenagers after a man was found collapsed in the street suffering severe head injuries.

Kingsley McDonald, 27, of West Street, Burnley, is in a serious but stable condition in hospital after undergoing major surgery to remove a clot from his brain.

Mr McDonald had just left the Almaz Tandoori takeaway in Colne Road, Burnley, when he was found collapsed on the floor with serious injuries to his head.

Detective Sergeant Graham Briggs, of Burnley CID, said: "He was seen in the Wheatsheaf Inn in Colne Road at closing time.

"He then went to the Almaz takeaway and bought a kebab. He was walking away across the road. "At the same time three white youths in their late teens were in the takeaway. One of the ordered some food and the other two went out and followed the man. He was called back by the two youths. Something has taken place but out of sight of our witness in the takeaway. We think there has been some kind of altercation.

"The two youths then came back to the takeaway and joined the third youth and all three walked off in the direction of Burnley town centre. The man was then found collapsed in the street.

"We are appealing to anyone who may have spotted the youths or this man to come forward."

Kingsley, who is single, works as a machinist for timber firm Walter Lambert & Son in Edgar Street, Nelson. He is a member of Byerden House Socialist Club in Burnley and enjoys playing darts.

Today his father, Ronald, said: "What I want to know is why it happened. We might never know.

"His head is an absolute mess but he hasn't a mark anywhere else on him. It's as if whoever's done this deliberately went out to kick his head in. The extent of the damage is terrible. If this had happened to an older person they would have had it. "He normally goes out on a Saturday with the lads for a drink and a games of darts. He's not someone who would look for any bother. He just quietly gets on with his life.

"This has caused me a week of anxiety and pain. I've not been able to sleep properly for days."

The police have been given brief descriptions of the youths. One had his hair in a pony-tail. The second had short ginger hair brushed forward at the front, was 5ft 8in tall and of very slim build.

There is no description for the third youth but all three were scruffily dressed.

The incident happened on Saturday, September 21, just after midnight in the Duke Bar area of the town.

The man was taken to Burnley General Hospital and later transferred to the head injuries unit at Royal Preston Hospital.

Anyone with any information should contact the police on Burnley 425001.

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