A MAN was beaten unconscious by two thugs he had confronted for kicking his car.

The 52-year-old was hit so ferociously that he received a blood clot on his ear which was still causing dizziness today. He is recovering at his home in Shorrock Lane, Mill Hill, after spending three nights in Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

The man saw two people, in their 20s, kicking his Ford Escort and bashing the wing mirrors. He went out to ask them what they were doing and one replied: "Nothing much, don't talk to my brother like that."

They then set upon him with a series of punches which knocked him unconscious.

His wife then appeared at the door as the two men were over her husband. They said to her: "Have you called anyone" and made it appear as if they had found him. When she returned from calling for an ambulance the two men had gone.

The victim was admitted to hospital for treatment to cuts and bruises and the blood clot.

DC Dan Perkins, of Blackburn CID, said: "This is a nasty assault. He has a lump on the back of his head, bruising on his neck and a blood clot on his ear. He is still poorly and cannot get his balance properly."

DC Perkins said one of the men had a half-full glass of beer, which suggested they had come from a nearby pub. He added: "We would like to hear from anyone who has information or saw two men, who may be brothers, matching their descriptions in Shorrock Lane or in a pub."

The first was described as white, 5ft8in tall, in his early 20s, clean shaven, with short, light-brown hair and wearing a light-grey sweat shirt with a black stripe down the sleeves.

The other was said to be white, 5ft8in, slim and with straight dark-brown hair. He was wearing an unzipped blue tracksuit top which had what looked like a Burnley shirt underneath. There was a large beer stain on the shirt.

The incident happened on Sunday at 11.50pm but police released details only today. Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Blackburn CID on 01254 353569 with information.