A MAN suffered a fractured skull after being hit over the head with a crowbar in an attempted robbery.

Shortly after midnight three men went into a caravan at a maggot farm in Crowthorne Road, Edgworth, where a 38-year-old man was staying alone.

The raiders, who were all wearing balaclavas and dark clothes, asked for money, but were unsuccessful and then attacked the man with the weapon.

The gang stole the victim’s Mercedes Sprinter van before abandoning it near to the farm.

Police said the injured man telephoned a friend to let them know what had happened, and the friend then contacted the police.

The victim was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital with a fractured skull and later transferred to Hope Hosp-ital in Manchester where officers said he was recov-ering from his injuries.

Police are keen to speak to anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious in the Crowthorne School and Crowthorne Road areas between 10.30pm on Friday night and 12.30am on Saturday to contact them.

Detective Sergeant Ian Geogarty, of Darwen CID, said: “This was a particularly violent attack which has left a man with a serious injury.

“I appeal to anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious to contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 0845 125 3545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.