A DOG walker was left in a coma after being brutally attacked in Farnworth.

The 32-year-old man was hit over the head from behind at about midnight on Friday night in Begonia Avenue while walking his brown pet Labrador.

The victim managed to rouse himself and walk to his nearby home in Harper Green Road, which he shares with his mother.

But at about 4pm on Saturday, his condition worsened and he was taken to Salford Royal Hospital by ambulance with a serious head injury.

Police are describing the attack as "vicious" and believe it was unprovoked.

The victim has undergone surgery and is now understood to be in a coma, with his condition described as critical but stable.

His niece, who did not want to be named, descried her uncle's condition as "touch and go".

The man was spotted lying in the road in Begonia Avenue by a passer-by who phoned for an ambulance at 12.02am, The Bolton News has learned.

But after thinking the victim was intoxicated, the ambulance was stood down when the man managed to get to his feet, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has confirmed.

Despite having been unconscious for a lengthy period, he managed to describe his attacker as a tall, bald man after catching a brief glimpse of him.

The man's niece, who lives in Begonia Avenue, said: "He was just taking his dog for a walk like he does every night.

"I got the phone call at about midnight and we went over to see him.

"He thought he was all right and he just told my grandma and I that it was a tall, bald guy."

She added: "It is touch and go at the moment. We will just have to wait and see.

"You just don't think this could happen whey you're walking your dog round here.

"Everybody knows everybody."

Det Sgt Craig Cuthbert, from Farnworth police station, said: “The victim is in a very poorly state right now and we are hoping he can make a full recovery.

“Given the victim has been largely unconscious since it happened we have no idea yet what, if anything led up to this attack. At this stage it looks to be completely unprovoked.

“I now want to hear from anyone who may have information on what happened.

"Did you hear or see anything unusual in or around Begonia Avenue? Did you see a man running away from that area?"

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 8565681 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.