A teenager has lost the top portion of both his ears after a vicious assault, police said.
It is not known if a weapon was used in the attack on the 18-year-old victim, who was walking from a takeaway shop around 1.30am on Sunday in Accrington.
As he walked along Eastgate, he was grabbed and pulled into a side street by an unknown man and assaulted.
After the attack he fled to a nearby taxi office for help.
Detectives from Lancashire Police are now speaking the victim to find out exactly what happened.
He had been in the takeaway on Whalley Road with friends but they then separated and the victim was attacked shortly after.
Det Sgt Paul Langley of Lancashire Police, said: “I would appeal for anybody who would have been the area at the time who may have heard and seen anything to come forward.
“There are a number of takeaways and taxi offices nearby which may have had staff or customers who may have seen the incident or anything else suspicious and I would urge them to come forward.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
