People living near to the garden where a 48-year-old man was found with a fractured skull have spoken of their shock.

The man, from Brierfield, had fallen on the garden of a family with three young children in Standen Hall Drive, Burnley.

The family raised the alarm and looked after the victim until an ambulance arrived.

Nearby residents said they heard shouting outside their homes before hearing a bang and finding the badly-injured man.

One neighbour said: “I was asleep on the sofa and heard the shouting and a bang, but didn’t think much of it.

“When I looked out the guy was lying on the floor with blood coming from his head, it was terrible.”

Neighbour Janet Owen said: “The police were knocking on everyone’s doors over the weekend asking about it.

"It is a real shock, you just don’t expect it to happen, this is usually a really quiet area.”

Another resident said: “I saw three youngsters running off after hearing the bang.

"The man looked in a bad way, I have no idea what happened but it was frightening.”

The 6ft 6ins man, described as a quiet person who kept himself to himself, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital before being transferred to Royal Preston Hospital where he was yesterday in a critical condition.

The assault happened at around 8.15pm on Friday and police are now trying to piece together where the victim went earlier in the day.

He is described as white, 6ft 6ins tall, of slim build with short dark receding hair.

He was wearing a blue or green fleece, dark pants and dark coloured shoes.

A 17-year-old from Burnley has been arrested on suspicion of section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent.

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