The 27-year-old had been drinking in The Taps pub on Saturday night before making his way outside.

While on Henry Street, a row began with another drinker and he was punched a number of times in the face, leaving him with serious facial injuries.

A friend of the attacker is thought to have stepped in and dragged him away from the scene. Both men then headed south down Clifton Street.

Det Con John Fishwick, of St Annes CID, said: "This was a vicious attack on a man resulting from a verbal altercation and this type of behaviour will not be tolerated on the Fylde.

"Every effort is currently being made to locate those responsible for the assault.

"We believe the two parties had been drinking in The Taps before leaving the premises and becoming involved in a verbal argument.

"The victim was then punched several times in the face before another man has come and dragged his friend away.

"Following the attack, the injured man has gone to hospital where he was treated for serious facial injuries.

"He will have to go back when the swelling goes down to find out the full extent of the damage."

The incident happened between 11.50pm on Saturday and 12.10am on Sunday.

Since then, officers have been trawling the area around Henry Street looking for potential witnesses and to locate any CCTV footage of the incident.

They managed to get one photograph of two people they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

The two men were described as white, aged in their late 30s, around 5ft 5in to 5ft 7in tall, of stocky build and with close-cropped mousey hair. Both were wearing dark clothing.

Det Con Fishwick added: "We want to hear from anyone who knows something about the incident or recognises the two individuals in the CCTV image."

Anybody with information can contact police on (01253) 293933 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.