BARMAN Wes Brown has told how he feared for his life when he was attacked by a gang of yobs.

A group of up to eight youths knocked him to the ground before five of them kicked him in the face, breaking his jaw in two places.

Speaking from hospital where he is recovering from his injuries, Mr Brown, of Tonge Fold, Bolton, said: "I haven't a clue how many times I was kicked but it was at least eight or nine.

"I just remember thinking I wasn't likely to get back up.

"I was almost surprised when they backed off and ran away."

The 26-year-old had been among thousands celebrating the New Year in Bolton town centre.

A popular barman at Ye Olde Man and Scythe, in Churchgate, he finished work in the afternoon of December 31 and shared a drink with customers before heading to the Dog and Partridge.

He left there around 1.45am and began walking back to his home, using his usual route.

Thirty minutes later, he reached the junction of Bradford Street and Bury New Road where the group, in their late teens or early 20s, attacked him.

"It was completely unprovoked and there was no indication of what was going to happen," said Mr Brown.

"They just saw an opportunity to hurt someone and took it."

The youths stole Mr Brown's wallet, containing about £40, but not his phone.

Disorientated and struggling to see, he managed to find a taxi driver parked nearby and asked him to call for help.

An ambulance took him to the Royal Bolton Hospital before he was transferred to a specialist centre in Blackburn.

Mr Brown added: "It was so painful. I could hardly speak, couldn't sleep and couldn't swallow."

On Tuesday, he underwent an operation to fix two plates to his lower jaw but now faces an anxious wait to discover if the operation has been successful.

If not, the plates will have to be removed and his jaw will need wiring. Mr Brown already faces weeks off work and is currently unable to eat solid food.

Last month, a 31-year-old Egerton man suffered a broken jaw after being kicked by youths who ambushed his car in Blackburn Road.

Detective Constable Mike Gladwin said: "There is always potential for serious head injuries when somebody is kicked while on the ground and with a number of people involved this could have been a lot more serious.

"Clearly, there are potential witnesses around. It was New Year and revellers would have been around the area."

John Jewitt, landlord at Ye Olde Man and Scythe, said: "Wes has worked for us for six years and is very popular, and we are very concerned."

Well-built Mr Brown, who says he has "sorted out the odd scuffle" while working behind the bar, said he is determined not to let the incident destroy his confidence.

But he added: "I won't know how I feel until I have to walk that way again."

Anyone with information about the attack should call police on 0161 856 5777.