A MAN who suffered serious facial injuries after confronting a gang of youths outside his home today said he could have been killed.

Kevin Savage, 49, was punched in the face by a man holding a beer can late on December 30 and is still unable to open his injured right eye.

Mr Savage said the injuries could have been a lot worse and added: "I was dripping blood and it hurt so much."

Mr Savage, who lives with his wife, Danielle, 41, and children Suzanne, 22, Michael, 18 and Matthew, 12, on Dill Hall Lane, Church, said the incident had left his family scared.

He added: "When I came back into the house my family took one look at me and thought I had been stabbed."

Mr Savage is a full-time carer for his daughter Suzanne, who is severely autistic.

He said the incident began at around 10pm when he heard a gang of around 15 youths trying to break into his camper van, which is parked next to his home.

He was in his bedroom at the time but left the house to confront the gang.

He said: "I could see about 15 of them breaking into the camper. They were all aged between 14 and 17 and wearing hoodies and caps.

"When I got outside it was very dark but decided to approach them and from out of nowhere I was punched in the face.

"I didn't even see the punch coming, the guy was dressed completely in black and had black gloves on."

After the punch the gang fled and Mr Savage returned home where he called the police.

He said the gang caused more than £1,000 damage to his camper van after smashing windows and denting the bodywork.

Detective Inspector Ian Critchley, from Accrington CID, confirmed officers had attended the incident and said it is being investigated as an assault.

He said: "It was an unprovoked attack on a member of the public as a result of him challenging a large group of youths.

"I am keen to hear from anyone who has either seen this incident or knows the people involved."

You can contact the police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information.