DETECTIVES have stepped up their appeal to trace thugs who attacked a partially sighted man who tried to stop them vandalising a church.

The 52-year-old was hit by a stone in his good eye leaving specialists at Birch Hill Hospital concerned he may lose his sight totally.

But the victim, who does not want to be named, said: "It has been nearly two months since the attack and I can see slightly, almost like looking through a cloud."

Specialists will be able to determine whether the damage to his eye his irreversible or an operation is required to restore his vision in two weeks.

The attack took place on March 26 outside the Holy Trinity RC Church in East Street, Bury.

He said: "I saw one boy throw something and it hit me in the eye.

"I cried out for them to stop throwing stone at me and shouted that I had been blinded. They just carried on."

The victim was escorted home by a passer-by and spent five days in pain before calling for help.

He was in hospital for the next three weeks while doctors waited for a clot in his eye to clear.

Detective Sergeant Derek Bamford said: "We are following up a couple of leads although I would appreciate to hear from anyone who can help."

DC Bamford can be contacted on 0161 856 8150 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.