A MAN suffered a fractured eye socket when he was assaulted and spat on by a gang in an unprovoked street attack.

The victim was walking by William Hill bookmakers, in Scotland Road, Nelson, when he was approached by four Asian men.

The gang then attacked the man knocking him to the ground, before spitting on him.

The 50-year-old, who lives in Nelson, was taken to Burnley General Hospital with a fractured eye socket.

He was later released from hospital.

Police said they were not treating the incident as a racist attack, and believe the victim could have been in the bookies beforehand.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which happened about 6.30pm on Saturday, to come forward.

A police spokesman said: "It was a nasty unprovoked attack in which the man suffered a fractured eye socket.

"Those responsible assaulted him and spat on him.

"There could have been quite a lot of people in the area at the time, and we would appeal for anybody with information to come forward."

The main offender is described as about 5ft 7ins tall, aged around 18, slim, with a neatly trimmed beard. He was wearing a blue hood.

The rest of the gang are about 5ft 11ins to 6ft.

Anybody with information should contact police on 01282 472282.