A MAN was left with a fractured skull after his head was smashed against the pavement in an unprovoked attack outside a Leigh nightclub.

The 24-year-old victim was standing outside Vogue Nightclub near JR Taxis in King Street in the early hours of yesterday when he was punched in the face by a stranger, who then fled on foot.

The blow caused the victim to fall backwards and hit his head on the pavement, fracturing his skull.

He is now in a stable condition in hospital after the attack, which happened at 5.15am.

Det Sgt Paul Jackson said: “This was a cowardly and unprovoked attack on an innocent man enjoying himself with friends.

“The strength of the attack caused the victim to sustain serious head injuries and though he is now in a stable condition, the consequences could quite easily have been far worse.

“We are appealing for witnesses who may have been leaving the nightclub at the time or perhaps in the area at the time of the assault.”

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 85667225 , 0161 85667292 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.