A MAN was last night fighting for his life after a brutal street attack.

Stan Foster was assaulted outside his home in Cawdor Street, Farnworth, in the early hours of yesterday morning with what is believed to be a baseball bat.

The 52-year-old suffered severe head injuries and was last night in a “critical condition” in intensive care at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

His partner, Eileen Blain Brooks, aged 43, of the same address, was also attacked.

She suffered facial injuries, though police said they are not believed to be life threatening.

A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of assault and were last night being questioned by detectives.

Last night, two police officers guarded a cordon as forensic examinations were carried out outside a row of six houses.

One white tent covered a blue car, believed to be a Nissan Micra, and another part of the road.

Neighbours were left shocked as to why anyone would attack a “lovely” and “kindhearted” couple, though some said they believe the attack could have followed a neighbourhood dispute.

A spokesman for the Cutting Corner barber shop next door to Mr Foster’s house said: “The police came at about 1am. They put the tape up.

“No-one has been able to go out through the front doors all day and we’ve had to close the shop, but we understand that they have to investigate.”

A Cawdor Street neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “Eileen is such a wonderful woman and Stan is a nice guy.

“He works away a lot but they are a lovely and kindhearted couple who have never been in trouble.

“Eileen worked part-time for three years in the corner shop a few doors down and left last year to start a cleaning job.

“I really don’t understand why anyone would want to hurt them. It is so sad. We hope Stan is okay.”

John Hopwell, aged 44, of Lorne Street, Farnworth, added: “It’s a quiet area and we’ve never had anything like this before.

“There are a lot of rumours flying around about what happened but we just hope that the police get to the bottom of it.”

A police spokesman said: “There is a line of inquiry that suggests a baseball bat was possibly used. Inquiries into the weapons or instruments are ongoing.

“It looks as though the offenders may live close by.”