PENSIONER Alan Grundy celebrated the New Year with a few drinks with his brother - and woke up the next day in hospital with a broken hip.

But the 66-year-old from Deane cannot remember how he was injured.

Now he is appealing for two Good Samaritans who helped him to come forward and tell him what happened.

Detectives are keen to retrace Mr Grundy's steps to ensure he was not the victim of a crime.

The pensioner had been drinking in pubs in Bolton town centre with his brother, Brian, on New Year's Day.

He returned home along Deane Church Lane, Deane, at 5pm.

He remembers stepping off the kerb and feeling a pain in his hip. He may have been hit by a car or been attacked. Mr Grundy said: "I felt something hit me from behind. Then two lads came and rang an ambulance. They called my brother.

"I'm glad they were there, and I'd like to say thank you for helping me."

Sgt Martin Bell, of Bolton police robbery unit, said: "Mr Grundy thought he had been the victim of robbery because he couldn't find his mobile phone.

"His brother has told us he was called by two Asian men who told him his brother had an accident and was going to hospital.

"We are appealing for the two Good Samaritans to come forward. They may have vital information about what exactly happened."

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5609.