A teenager was left fighting for life after he was repeatedly kicked in the head in a ‘nasty and unprovoked gang attack’.

Kyle Broadhurst was attacked by a group of men in the early hours of Saturday morning as he and some friends made their way through Accrington town centre after a night out.

Hospital officials said he is now making a good recovery and has been moved out of the critical care unit.

Police said the 18-year-old, from Huncoat, was trying to calm the situation when he was assaulted.

Detectives said Mr Broadhurst was punched in the face and repeatedly kicked in the body and head close on Holme Street.

He was taken to The Royal Blackburn Hospital with serious head injuries and later transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital when his condition deteriorated.

Detective Sergeant Ian Proctor said Mr Broadhurst was making a good recovery as the Observer went to press.

DS Proctor, of Accrington CID, said: "This was a nasty and totally unprovoked assault where group of friends were set upon by a number of men after enjoying a night out.

"One young man was kicked repeatedly in the head and body and I would appeal to anybody who witnessed the assault or has any information that could assist our investigation to contact us."

Mr Broadhurst, a former Accrington Academy pupil, had been in Voodoo Lounge with several friends on Friday night before the attacked occurred, police said.

They left the nightclub at around 3am on Saturday before being set upon by the gang of men.

Since Mr Broadhurst was taken into hospital floods of support have been posted on social networking site twitter.

Former Huncoat United chairman John Spencer, who Mr Broadhurst used to play for, said everyone was in shock when they heard about the incident.

He said: "I was chairman of the football club when he played for us. It was a total shock. He is a lovely lad and never any bother and played football in a good spirit.

"He was associated with the club for 10 years from the mini league right through to under 16s. I think he still plays local football in the Accrington Combination League."

Police said another 18-year-old suffered minor injuries after being punched and he was also taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The teenager was discharged later on that evening after receiving treatment to facial injuries.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information should call Accrington police on 101.