POLICE are continuing to hunt a thug who bit off part of a man's ear in a nightclub.

Tony Jeffries was at the Limelight Club, Tyldesley, with his girlfriend when he was involved in a fight with a fellow reveller.

Both men were asked to leave the club, but once outside Mr Jeffries realised part of his left ear was missing. Doormen retrieved it and packed it in ice. Mr Jeffries, aged 31, was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where he had the ear sewn back on.

He is now recovering at home in Tyldesley and police have appealed for witnesses. Anyone with information about the incident, which happened last Friday, should contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7253 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Josephine Riley, who was in charge at the Limelight at the time said: "We don't usually get any trouble here. I didn't see anything as the doormen dealt with it, but the lad was bleeding all down his face."

This man suffered a particularly nasty injury which will leave him scarred for the rest of his life.

" DC Mark Sanderson said: "Since the incident we have had a poor response to witness appeals, which I find very hard to understand as at the time the club was extremely busy."