A TEENAGER is seriously ill six days after a vicious fairground attack.

Lee Wharmby, aged 17, suffered severe head injuries - and is still not able to talk.

He was hit by a thug wielding a sock which police believe had a billiard ball or stone inside. Detectives described the attack as " motiveless."

Today Lee, from Little Hulton, was described as "poorly" in the specialist head injuries unit at Salford's Hope Hospital.

The incident happened at 9.45pm on Longcauseway, Farnworth, last Friday as Lee left the fairground with friends.

The attacker was with another group of youths when he approached Lee and without warning hit him over the head, then calmly walked away.

Detectives say the attacker is white, about 5ft 8ins tall, medium build, clean shaven with bleached blond hair shaved at the sides and back. He wore a black coat and white jeans.

Anyone who can help should ring 0161 872 5050.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.