A BUSINESSMAN was savagely attacked when he stepped in to stop Chinese takeaway staff from being racially abused.

The beating was so severe, Tony Sinacola was left with a shattered ankle, cracked ribs and a bruised face.

Mr Sinacola, 49, was dragged outside Kan’s chip shop, in Ramsbottom, and punched by yobs who were taunting staff.

He was returning home with his wife Mary and daughter from the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships.

Mr Sinacola, 49, who runs Chadwicks Original Bury Black Puddings, in Waterfoot, has been organising the annual event in the town for the past eight years.

He said: "I can’t remember much about the incident because of the assualt.

“I don’t really know what happened.

“It’s hugely disappointing. Months and months of planning went into the event. It was a colossal effort.

“I was there from 5am on Sunday so it was a long day.”

But Mr Sinacola, who lives in Waterfoot and provides all the black pudding free of charge, remains defiant.

He said he would not let his attackers put him off running the event, which attracts hundreds of visitors, next year.

“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing since Sunday,” he said.

“People have been ringing to check I am okay. I’ve had lots of support.

“We have already had a committee meeting to start preparations for next year.”

Chris Woolfall, who is also on the organising committee, said the incident had allegedly started when Mr Sinacola’s wife Mary went into the chip shop with their daughter and saw two people racially abusing staff.

He said she had vinegar pots thrown at her after asking them to stop.

When Sinacola walked in and confronted the men, he was punched to the floor and dragged outside where he was kicked and stamped on.

Mr Woolfall said: “It was a savage assault. It’s a reprehensible attack on somebody who does so much to organise the event.

“It was a brilliant day again but this has a left a sour taste. A lot of people are really, really sadenned about it.

“Tony puts in a lot of work into this event for the community.”

The attack happened on Sunday at 10pm.

Police confirmed two men, aged 21 and 19, had been bailed on suspicion of assault until November 15 pending further inquiries.