A Blackburn man who was stabbed just three hours after the end of a month-long knife amnesty is recovering well, his father said today.

Joseph Andrews, 24, an electrician, of Montreal Road, collapsed in Darwen Street after he was allegedly attacked at the Oasis fast food shop just after 3am on July, 1.

Mr Andrews was stabbed, the knife hitting his liver and bowel, and slashed on the neck in the attack.

Police said his injuries were horrendous.' His father Peter, of Parsonage Road, Wilpshire, said: "He's improving but his injuries were horrific.

"He's coming on a lot, but he can't work yet."

Joseph underwent an operation at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and was discharged from hospital about a week later.

He lives with his mother, Elizabeth Mayers, and had recently bought a flat.

But his father, who works for Blackburn Funeral Services, said he had been told it would be another six weeks before he would be allowed to return to work.

He said his son's confidence seemed to be high but he had not been on a night out since the incident.

Joseph has had staples from his wounds removed, and doctors have told the family the scars should heal naturally with time.

The Government's five-week knife amnesty was launched by then Home Secretary Charles Clarke, and involved police forces throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Lancashire police welcomed the recovery of more than 1,500 weapons during the initiative.

l A 30-year-old Accrington man has been charged with wounding.