A TEENAGER was left unconscious after a vicious attack on him and his two friends.

Ryan Callaghan and Tom Walker, both 16, and a 16-year-old friend were set upon by a group of up to 10 youths outside the New Moon Chinese takeaway, Chapel Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn, at 10.15pm.

Tom was knocked to the ground and received kicks and stamps to his head as he lay unconscious.

Ryan's father Martin Callaghan said the three boys, all pupils at St Bede's High School, had gone to get a takeaway when some of the youths asked them for cigarettes. When the teenagers said they did not smoke, Ryan was headbutted twice and punched in the side of the face.

When Tom stepped in to help, he was knocked down, with attackers continuing to kick and stamp on his head.

All three boys were left with bloodied noses and other facial injuries, and Tom had to spend the night in the Royal Blackburn Hospital after the attack, on Friday.

The boys' families have expressed concern that police did not make it to see the boys until more than an hour later.

Police said they went to the scene of the attack within five minutes of a call from the ambulance service, but on finding that the ambulance was gone and no-one was there, they left.

They did not speak to the victims until 11.25pm, after another phone call from Martin Callaghan, Ryan's father. Police said they had driven round the area looking for the attackers before visiting the boys, but found nothing.

Tom's father Christopher said: "They actually stamped on Tom's head, and when you think what could have happened - a girl in Bacup died after that happened to her - it's really frightening.

"He doesn't have any recollection of what happened."

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "Police received a call at 22.19 from the ambulance to ask for our attendance to a street disturbance. Our support unit attended the scene within seven minutes and on arrival, the ambulance was no longer present.

"People at the scene were spoken to and there did not appear to be any problem. On later receiving calls from the parents of the people involved, we attended for a second time."

"The incident happened at approximately 10.15pm on New Chapel Street Blackburn where three 16-year-old boys were set upon by a group of other youths. One parent took her son to hospital where he received treatment for facial injuries before being released.

"An investigation is underway to identify those responsible. The Neighbourhood Policing team are making enquiries in the local area and are viewing CCTV footage. Since the incident, an officer has attended the hospital and a witness has come forward."

One of the offenders was a white and 5ft 8ins.

Witnesses should contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 quoting log reference number 342eq/180408 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.