TWO men arrested by police investigating a brutal assault on a man in Brierfield have been released on bail.

The 38-year-old was beaten by a gang of three men armed with baseball bats, a sledgehammer and a knife, in Colne Road, at 8.45pm on Monday.

He suffered a fractured skull, punctured lung and two broken legs during the assault.

Yesterday the man remained in hospital, where his condition was said to be stable.

A 51-year-old man from Burnley and a 23-year-old man from Nelson were arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack.

They have been bailed until August 2 and September 26 respectively.

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