A DRIVER was left with a fractured cheekbone after another motorist punched him in the face in an "unprovoked and vicious" road rage attack.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the assault that happened in broad daylight in traffic in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, on October 29.

The 23-year-old victim and his 19-year-old girlfriend were driving along the street at 4.50pm.

They reached the junction of Crumpsall Street and a black Ford Focus with a 03 or 53 registration plate cut in front of their car from behind. The Focus suddenly stopped and and a man and woman got out of the vehicle.

The pair approached the victims' car and the man punched the male victim to the face before shouting: "That’s for cutting me up."

As the 19-year-old woman went to her partner's aid, the female attacker grabbed her by the hair and dragged her down the road.

The attackers then got back in their vehicle and drove off.

PC Jonathan Woods said: "This was a seemingly unprovoked and vicious attack against two innocent members of the public by two aggressive offenders.

“They cut in front of the victims, slammed on the brakes and then leapt out of the car to subject them to an assault which resulted in the male victim going to hospital.

“This occurred in the afternoon on a busy road, so I suspect that there will have been witnesses to this attack.

“I appeal for anyone who may have seen something to contact police as a matter of urgency and assist us in identifying and arresting the pair responsible."

The male attacker was white, aged in his late 20s, around 6ft and muscular. He was wearing a white top and grey jogging bottoms.

The female attacker was white, slim, around 5ft 5in and wore a white top and hoop earrings.

n Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 291016/1887 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.