SEVEN people who are known to have witnessed a serious assault on a father of two have still not come forward, police revealed today.

Acting Detective Inspector Terry Walne said he was disappointed at the reluctance of some people to say what they saw in the early hours of Sunday.

Dean Prescott received a fractured skull in an assault after he had been in the VIPs Club in Bethesda Street, Burnley, with relatives and friends after attending his sister's wedding.

Dean, 27, of Thursby Road, Burnley, was escorted out of the building after a disagreement and his brother, Gary, found him unconscious near to the club doorway ten minutes later. Acting Detective Inspector Walne said a man who was being questioned yesterday had been released on police bail, but he will be returning to the police station after police have made further inquiries.

He said: "At least seven people have not come forward who were standing on the corner of Bethesda Street and St James Street.

"There were other doormen in the club who we have not traced yet and there are two doormen who we know were outside at the time and they have not come forward.

"I am renewing appeals for anyone who was in the area to contact Burnley police on 01282 425001. This was a very serious assault and any information will be treated in the strictest confidence."

Mr Prescott is showing 'slight improvement' but is still in the intensive care unit of North Manchester General Hospital.

His wife, Karen, who was in the club when he was attacked, is at his bedside while Gary has been looking after the couple's children Stephen, five, and Rachel, two.

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