DETECTIVES have made a fresh plea for information after a “vicious and unprovoked” attack on a teenage reveller.

The 18-year-old student, from Earby, needed plates inserting in his jaw and suffered a broken nose and a bruised collarbone after being pounced on in St James’ Street, Burnley.

The teenager had been at a special college event at Fusion nightclub, in Hammerton Street, and was outside JJB Sports when the attack took place.

Thugs knocked him unconscious and stamped on his head as horrified onlookers watched.

He later underwent surgery at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Police said around 1,000 students attended the Fusion event and many more would have been using takeaways in St James’ Street when the attack happened, at around 2am on Tuesday February 17.

Det Con Sheralyn Melton, from Burnley CID, said: “On the face of it, this appears to be a very nasty, unprovoked attack which left a young man with serious facial injuries which required surgery.

“We know that someone somewhere has information which can help us trace the offender and we need to speak to them as soon as possible.

"At the time they may not have realised the significance of what they saw but now knowing the severity of the attack.

“I would ask them to search their conscience and come forward.”

Detectives said a taxi driver, believed to be in St James’ Street at the time, may also have seen the incident.

Anyone with information should contact Burnley CID on 01282 472149 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.