A 50-YEAR-OLD man is recovering at home after he was attacked by a gang of youths outside a pub in Harwood.

Ray Jenkins, of Tottington Road, had been enjoying a drink with his friends at the Seven Stars pub, Lea Gate, on Friday.

Throughout the night a group of up to 15 youths, all aged between 16 and 19, were standing outside the pub taunting customers.

At around midnight, Mr Jenkins and his friends went outside to speak with the youths and there was an aurgument.

The row between the two groups carried on along the road to the junction with Bolton Road, outside the Crofters Arms pub.

A number of the youths then threw full beer cans at Mr Jenkins, hitting him on the back of the head.

He fell into the road and the group of youths ran off.

Mr Jenkins was taken to hospital where he was kept in overnight for observation and discharged the following morning.

Police cordoned off the scene for several hours while officers carried out their enquiries.

They have studied CCTV footage of the incident taken from the pub's system.

Earlier in the evening, there was a burglary at the Safeway store when cans of alcohol were stolen.

Police are investigating to see if the two incidents are linked.

Det Con Maggie Lane from Bolton CID said: "Mr Jenkins was not as seriously injured as we first thought.

"He is now recovering at home.

"Our inquiries into the incident are still ongoing."

Gemma Heyes, deputy manager at the Seven Stars said: "Ray is a regular. He is a really nice man. He is not the sort to get involved in any trouble. We were all shocked and upset to hear about what happened."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Lane at Bolton CID on 0161 856 5740.