A DEVASTATED father whose jaw was broken in an unprovoked attack has been left too scared to leave his house.

The 42-year-old man was assaulted by three Asian men as he left a takeaway in the Bastwell area of Blackburn.

He suffered a broken jaw and damage to his cheekbone during the attack and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help them catch the culprits.

The attackers are believed to be in their late teens. The first was slim, 5ft 10in tall, and unshaven. He was wearing a dark baseball cap, white tracksuit with dark stripes on both arms and light coloured trainers.

The other two were both wearing dark coloured clothing, were clean-shaven and about 5ft 6in tall. One had short, dark curly hair, and the other is descibed as having a young-looking face.

Police said they were not treating the attack on Monday April 16 as racially motivated.

Pc Michael Winward, who is investigating the incident, said: "This is a totally unprovoked attack on an innocent man.

"He has been brought up in this area and is now afraid to leave his house at night. It has also had a devastating effect on his wife and child."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Winward on 01254 51212 and quote reference number 279EQ/160401.