ROBBERS viciously attacked a man in the street in Farnworth and left him with a fractured skull - for the sake of £14.

Police suspect the duo then attacked two 14-year-old boys just 40 minutes later, stealing a watch worth £1,000.

Tony Saxon, aged 58, was able to stagger to a relative's house for help after being attacked in Buckley Lane on November 21.

He was walking to the Bradford Arms Pub at about 10.20pm when the men walked up to him asking for money.

When Mr Saxon refused, he was viciously attacked, leaving him with a fractured skull and severe bruising on his hand and neck.

Mr Saxon, who lives locally, was punched and kicked to the floor by the thugs before they fled with £14 in cash, his cigarettes and his keys.

Mr Saxon was able to make his way to a nearby relative's house before being taken to hospital.

Photographs taken of Mr Saxon in hospital show he suffered extensive bruising to his neck, a black eye and cuts to his cheek and mouth, as well as the fractured skull.

But the duo were not finished and struck again at about 11pm on the same Friday night.

Two 14-year-old boys were attacked in similar circumstances by two men on nearby St Germain Street.

Both boys were punched in the head, leaving them sore and bruising.

One had a silver and gold Tag Heuer watch stolen before the two men ran off towards Harrowby Lane.

The men are both described as white.

Det Con Jon Marsh said: "I think anybody who has heard about these two robberies will be shocked at the lengths these two men were willing to go to in order to rob their poor victims.

"The injuries that the first victim suffered are absolutely horrific and although the victims from the second robbery may not have suffered any serious injury, it is still a very distressing situation for two young lads to find themselves in.

"I would urge anybody with information to please contact the police."

Anybody with information can contact Farnworth Police Station on 0161 8565609 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.