A man who was left with a seven-inch slash wound to his throat after he was attacked in a pub was told by doctors he was only "a millimetre from death".

Mark Conley had 24 stitches put in the gaping wound on the left side of his throat which narrowly missed his vital jugular vein and will scar him for life.

The 31-year-old, of Clayton Lane, Clayton, Bradford, was enjoying a night out in Bradford last Sunday with friends when it almost ended in tragedy.

Mr Conley, known as Conners, has been signed off sick for two years after injuring his pelvis playing football and has also just recovered from a broken leg in May this year.

On the night of the alleged attack, Mr Conley, who describes himself as "happy go-lucky", ended up in the West End Bar in Lumb Lane, Bradford, after drinking around Clayton.

He said: "I haven't been out for ages but after a few glasses of wine in the pubs around Clayton I decided to go to the West End Bar as one of the barmaids I know was celebrating her birthday.

"I was talking to two girls I know at the bar - I'd only been in the place for about two minutes - and the next thing was I felt this warm sensation in the side of my neck.

"I turned to my left and realised there was a huge cut across my neck. I staggered backwards but strangely I still felt in control.

"I took off my top and rolled it into a ball before holding it to the side of my neck. Then I got a bit frantic so my older brother James got me out of the place.

"I was just so shocked and bemused that something like this had happened to me. The doctors said had it been a millimetre closer to my jugular I could have died."

The former machine assistant, who has boxed at both amateur and professional levels, was found by police in Lumb Lane near the junction with Bowland Street and taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Mr Conley said: "At the moment I must admit I'm a bit apprehensive about going out.

"If it's happened to somebody like me, it could happen to anyone."

Yesterday police released a 22-year-old man from custody on police bail pending further inquiries into the incident.

Anyone with information which may help police is asked to contact Toller Lane CID on 01274 376285.