A HOMELESS man has spoken of his horrific ordeal after he was beaten up and left for dead by thugs armed with a baseball bat in Bolton town centre.

Vinny Green, aged 50, was walking past McDonald's in Knowsley Street towards the Fred Dibnah statue when four men attacked him from behind.

The father-of-three, who has lived rough since his girlfriend died two years ago, was left with a fractured skull, broken cheekbone and spinal damage, and he has a blood clot on his brain.

His rucksack with all his personal belongings, including clothes and his wallet, was also stolen in the attack at 8.30pm on Thursday, May 14.

Police say so far there have been no arrests but inquiries are ongoing and they are appealing for witnesses.

Mr Green, who has been living in a bed and breakfast since being released from hospital, said: "I'm doing okay but I am on a lot of medication at the moment because I am in a lot of pain.

"The worst is I have to have an operation on Friday because I have a blood clot on my brain and spinal damage.

"I'm really annoyed and upset that they have done this to me.

"I have been targeted before but nothing like this. I could have died."

Mr Green, who has two grandchildren and one on the way from his daughter Chelsea Booth, who is 18 weeks pregnant, has no memory of the attack.

He said: "I was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital at first but my injuries were too serious so they sent me to Salford Royal Hospital.

"I was in a coma at first and woke up two days later in a hospital bed. I couldn't walk or anything at first.

"A police officer came to speak to me on Sunday but I couldn't give him any information because I can't remember anything.

"All I know is I was attacked from behind and I was knocked unconscious."

Mr Green, who had been sleeping rough in Bolton town centre, has since been helped by a local community group.

He said: "I have been homeless since my girlfriend died and have been living rough in various parts of the north west.

"I only came back to Bolton a few weeks ago after a spell in Lancaster.

"I'm really grateful to the Help the Homeless and Needy group — they have supported me, given me a mobile phone and put me in touch with my daughter who I haven't seen in two years, which I'm really pleased about."

Mr Green's daughter rushed to his aid after seeing his shocking photo on Facebook.

She said: "I am so angry that anyone would do something like this to him.

"He could have died and has a blood clot on his brain because of those thugs. I hope the police catch them soon."

Jamilah Rashid, who helps run the group Help the Homeless and Needy in Bolton, said attacks on the homeless are not rare.

She said: "They happen all too regularly — people get kicked and spat at in the street just because they are homeless.

"I am absolutely disgusted with what's happened to Vinny — his injuries are some of the worst I've seen.

"Although he seems to be coping okay I worry about how this operation will affect him.

"Hopefully the police will soon find out who is responsible for such an atrocious attack."

Anyone with any information can call police on 101.