DOCTORS are battling to save the sight of an attack victim who suffered extensive facial injuries after being set upon in the town centre this morning.

The 28-year-old man, who is already blind in one eye, was punched and kicked to the head and sustained multiple fractures to his face.

He also has a suspected broken jaw and a fractured eye socket and could potentially lose the sight in his good eye.

The assault happened on William Street, near to Baldwin Street, as the victim and his friend were heading for something to eat after a night out.

According to detectives, at about 5.15am this morning a passing police patrol spotted two men, one of whom was believed to be unconscious.

The other also appeared to have suffered minor injuries. 

The officers called an ambulance and both men were taken to hospital, where they are being treated.

It is believed that the victim and his friend, also 28, had been enjoying a night out in St Helens town centre and shortly they after 5am were heading off for something to eat before getting a taxi home.

As they were walking along William Street they were approached by a group of men and one of the them launched the assault. 

Detective Inspector Paul Grounds, said: "I would appeal to anyone who could help us find the person responsible for this vicious attack to come forward. 

"One of the victims has suffered extensive injuries to his face and doctors are fighting to save the sight in his left eye.

"This is particularly distressing for the victim as he is already blind in one eye and could now face the prospect of being permanently blind.

"It appears that this was a completely unprovoked assault by one man in a group of males and we understand that this group could possibly have approached other members of the public, who were in the area around the time of the assault, and they may have information which could identify the people in the group.

"I would also like to ask the other members of the group, who the offender was with, to search their consciences.

"We understand that there was just one main aggressor from the group and I would ask the others to think of what he has done and the significant injuries that he has caused.

"Do you really want to be associated with a man who can do that to someone else?

"Do the right thing and come forward so that we can give some closure to the victim."

 Anyone who has information which could help detectives with their inquiries can contact St Helens CID on 0151 777 6803, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.