A GANG of youths launched an unprovoked attack on a Darwen teenager which left him in hospital for three nights.

Today the 18-year-old victim appealed for help to catch the thugs before they target someone else.

The youth, of Blackburn Road, is too afraid to be named but hopes that by speaking out he can stop someone else going through the same ordeal.

He was walking to his girlfriend's house in Little Harwood at around 2.20am on Sunday, through the Whalley Range area of Blackburn, when an Asian man approached him.

He claims he was then pounced on by around seven youths who got out of a passing car.

The teenager, who works as a labourer in Darwen, suffered injuries to his body and head and was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where he stayed until Tuesday.

He is recovering at home but the incident has left him shaken and unable to sleep.

He said: "I was walking along when a man came up to me, shouted racist abuse at me and hit me. I started to run off but I fell to the ground and a group of lads who were driving past in a green Toyota got out and joined, kicking me in the head and body for what seemed like a long time.

"I thought I was going to die because they just wouldn't stop. I managed to get up somehow and was waving my hands about and I saw an opening and managed to run off and escape them.

"I ran into a dead end and hid there until I thought they had gone.

"I hopped along the street and luckily I saw a police car and ran towards it. I was in hospital three nights while they did scans and X-rays and I'm on painkillers now.

"I am bruised all over and hurt a lot down my side. I just hope that if anyone knows who did this they will come forward and tell the police before it happens to someone else."

Sergeant Joe Worden, of Blackburn Police, said: "Inquiries are continuing to try to identify his attackers. We would urge anyone who knows who did this to let us know.

"It appears he was approached by an Asian man he did not know who verbally abused him and went on to punch and kick him in the head and torso.

"Several other youths who were driving by also joined in but the aggrieved managed to escape."

Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 .