A Liversedge man who was beaten along with his brother and their friend has no idea why they were targeted.

Andrew Murray, 37, his brother Kevin, 34, and their friend Wayne Robinson, 34, were set upon by a gang of between 15 and 20 youths after leaving the Royal Kashmir Indian restaurant in Horncastle Street, Cleckheaton, at 12.50am on Sunday.

Andrew and Kevin were treated in Dewsbury District Hospital for facial injuries and released, but Wayne is still in Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, where he yesterday underwent surgery to his face.

Father-of-two Andrew, of Second Avenue, Windybank, who works for Kirklees Highways, said they were lucky not to have been killed in the attack.

"That gang were just looking for trouble and had nothing better to do," he said.

"We had had a nice quiet night and as we came out of the restaurant there were two gangs of lads and lasses on each side of the doorway. They shouted something, and either me or my brother shouted "What?" As soon as that was said, they just came.

"I remember seeing three or four coming straight for me and hearing a bang to my head. I fell to my hands and knees and then I was kicked in the face."

All three men were knocked unconscious during the attack and a passing police car called for an ambulance.

Detective Constable Lynda Jackson appealed for anyone who may have seen the incident, or the group of youths, to contact Dewsbury CID on (01924) 431059 or 431105.

lA pub landlord has told how regulars rushed to help a man who had been stabbed. Terry Pargeter, of the Green Man, in Otley Road, Undercliffe, said that drinkers had gone to aid the 30-year-old victim after he had been knifed in the back in nearby Idle Road on Sunday night.

He said: "The first thing we knew about it was the ambulance sirens outside. A couple of us rushed out and did all we could to help. One of our customers went out and sat with the victims and put pressure on his back until the ambulance arrived."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident and can be contacted on (01274) 376059. Three men have been arrested.