TWO men have been jailed for a total of nine years and four months after an unprovoked attack on an Oswaldtwistle nightclub doorman.

Lee Almond, 30, of Lytham Road, Blackburn and George Johnstone, 31, of Crossfields Caravan Park, Haslingden Road, Blackburn were each jailed for four years and eight months for wounding with intent.

The incident happened around 2.25am on 18 July last year, at the Jazzy Kex nightclub on Regent Street, in Blackburn.

The victim, 43-year-old William Hodge, from Oswaldtwistle, was working at the club when he refused entry to one member of a group of men.

Following a brief argument the victim was punched to the ground where he lay unconscious and was struck over the head with metal bar.

Acting Detective Constable Ian Lawless said: "I am happy with the sentence and hope it sends out a clear message that this type of thuggish and violent behaviour will not be tolerated. The victim in this case sustained horrific injuries including a fractured skull and cheek bone, and a bleed on the brain. This level of violence could have resulted in a more tragic outcome, and the offenders will now have plenty of time to reflect on the worthiness of their actions. As a force we are committed to making the town centre a safe place for the people of Blackburn to socialise."