Lancashire's top detective is hunting three gang members who went on-the-run after a vicious late night attack left a man critically injured on a Blackpool street.

And today he appealed for witnesses who might hold vital information to come forward.

Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini is heading the investigation into the attack on an unnamed 27-year-old local man on the corner of George Street and Coleridge Road around 11.15pm on Tuesday.

A member of the public is believed to have alerted police after spotting four men kicking and stamping their victim to the ground.

Officers arrived a short time later to find the victim unconscious and suffering from serious head injuries.

He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital before being transferred to the Critical Care Unit at Royal Preston Hospital where he remains in a 'serious but stable' condition suffering from a fractured skull and internal bleeding.

One man was arrested a short time late and spent yesterday being questioned by detectives at Blackpool's Bonny Street police station.

Det Supt Buschini and his team have now been conducting house-to-house enquiries in the area and he appealed for any further witnesses to come forward and assist in the hunt for the gang.

He said: "This was a particularly vicious and violent attack on a lone male.

"After speaking with numerous witnesses and conducting vigorous house-to-house enquiries we are still no closer to establishing any kind of motive for the assault.

"But we do believe that there are people out there who may have seen the victim or this group of men in the run-up to the incident and we would urge them to come forward as quickly as possible."

Police have said that they will not be naming the victim until they have contacted his family.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Blackpool police on 01253 293933 or, in confidence, Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.