A NEW appeal for witnesses has been made after a man was stabbed in an unprovoked attack in the town centre.

The 30-year-old man from Farnworth was attacked in Bridge Street near to the Ikon nightclub following a night out.

As the victim walked across the road, a man stabbed him in the leg with an unknown weapon.

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital and released after treatment.

The incident happened shortly before 2.30am on July 4.

Minutes earlier, the man, who is believed to have been responsible for the attack, was seen pretending to have a fight in the street.

Detectives are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward.

They are hoping the CCTV footage taken by a police mobile unit of the group of men in Bridge Street at the time will jog someone's memories.

Det Con Bob Lane from Bolton CID said: "A man was seriously wounded in an unprovoked attack. Does anyone remember a group of men play fighting in Bridge Street?

"Did you see a man throwing a can at a friend before pretending to have a fight with him and then falling over in the road?

"If you remember anything about the incident please come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to call Bolton CID on 0161 856 5740.