A policeman on beat patrol was knocked unconscious and kicked several times after approaching the occupants of a car in Lower Ince.

The officer was on uniformed patrol on Taylors Lane on Tuesday when he approached a car to ask the occupants a question.

The car was large and silver and looked new. It was possibly a Mercedes or a Lexus. There were two black men inside. The driver of the car got out the car and punched the officer in the face without warning.

The officer was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground. It is believed that he was kicked a number of times while he was on the ground.

When he came round the car had driven off. The officer was taken to Wigan Royal Infirmary with facial injuries but has since been discharged.

Police are appealing for help in identifying the offender who is described as being 6ft tall and of athletic build with a bald head. He was clean-shaven and was smartly dressed in a white shirt and grey suit.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5307 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.