25 February 2013 Last updated at 09:19 ET

Blackburn house raiders' 'vicious attack' on man

Three men broke into a house and subjected the owner to a "vicious attack".

The victim was attacked in his home on Coleridge Street, Blackburn, at about 01:00 GMT on Sunday.

Officers found the 41-year-old inside the property. He was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, where his condition was described as "critical".

Det Supt Paul Withers said the attack was not believed to be random.

The men are all described as white and about 6ft (1.8m) in height, with short hair and local accents.

Two were said to be of a heavy build, with the third described as athletic.

Mr Withers said officers thought the men "may have been known" to the injured man and appealed for anyone with information to contact police.