A CAR park attendant needed 28 stitches to a head wound after he was robbed by two masked youths thought to be as young as 14.

The attackers, wearing balaclavas, struck Albert Wood, aged 64, repeatedly about the head before kicking him in the chest in a small wooden office in Water Street Car Park.

They snatched the day's takings -- around £150 -- after Mr Wood had locked the car park up at 6pm on Saturday.

Mr Wood, a former long-distance lorry driver, flagged down a police car in Bank Street.

He was taken to Bury General Hospital but released yesterday after receiving stitches to a seven-inch head wound and five stitches to a gash along his right eyebrow.

Police sealed off Bank Street on Saturday night and carried out a detailed examination of the area.

It is thought the youths ran down Churchgate. Police say Mr Wood managed to rip a T-shirt worn by one of the attackers.

Sgt Sarah May, of Farnworth police station, said: "Mr Wood was pounced on and attacked by the youths.

"He turned around and came face-to-face with them. He was very shaken up.

"Someone might have seen a youth with a ripped navy blue, round-necked T-shirt and dark trousers in the Churchgate area."

The Water Street car park is isolated with no coverage by closed circuit television cameras. Mr Wood is recovering at his home in Moston near Manchester.

The youths are white, aged between 14 and 16. One was 5ft 2ins and the other 5ft 4ins.

Both wore blue jumpers, blue balaclavas and dark trousers. One wore a navy blue round-neck T-shirt. Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.