A NIGHTCLUB door-man has admitted attacking a Blackburn pub landlord who was left fighting for life on his stag night.

Barry Dowd, a worker at Blackpool's Syndicate nightclub, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to James Foley.

Preston Crown Court heard that Dowd, 31, of Blackpool, had punched Mr Foley and kicked him in the head while he lay on the floor.

Mr Foley, who runs Zy Bar, Market Street Lane, Blackburn, was uncon-scious in intensive care for eight days following the unprovoked assault outside the 3,000-capacity club on May 15.

The attack shattered the back of his skull and left a blood clot on his brain. Neurosurgeons at the Royal Preston Hospital fought to save his life by gluing his skull back together.

And his dream wedding to Katie Grimshaw, at Blackburn Cathedral had to be postponed for four months as he learnt to walk and talk again.

Mr Foley, his friends and family were in court to hear Dowd's plea.

After the hearing, Mr Foley said: "He has changed his plea to guilty which has come as a relief to us all.

"It has been an ordeal since last May and all my friends and family have turned up again at court to support me.

"I didn't want them to have to go through a trial or be forced to re-live what happened as witnesses so in that respect alone we are pleased he has done the right thing and spared us a trial.

"We just want the whole thing to be over now so we can get on with our lives. I wanted him to admit what he did to me and by pleading guilty he has done that.

"Now I hope he gets everything that he deserves and is sentenced to time in prison.

"The past 12 months have been a nightmare and now we are one step closer to being able to move on."

Brian McKenna, prose-cuting, said he would accept the guilty plea to grievous bodily harm as CCTV footage showed there had been only a single kick to Mr Foley's head.

He added that medical evidence showed the injuries were caused when the aggrieved fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement rather than by the kick.

Dowd also admitted assault by beating on Jamie Grimshaw.

Raymond Herman, defending, requested a pre-sentence report based on his client's previous good character.

The case was adjourned until February 24 and Dowd was granted unconditional bail.

Judge Nield warned Dowd that a custodial sentence of up to five years could be imposed