TWO Warrington men have been arrested following a gang assault in one of the town's nightclubs that left a teenager with part of his ear bitten off.

John Neary, aged 18, from Runcorn, suffered the serious injury at Mr Smith's nightclub on October 11, after being attacked by a group of three or four males.

A 20-year-old and a 19-year-old male, both from Warrington, were arrested but later released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The victim was rushed to Warrington Hospital for immediate attention to his bleeding wound, but surgeons informed him that they could not reattach his ear.

Mr Neary was then transferred to Fazackerley Hospital for further medical assistance but was faced with the grim news that he will be scarred for life.

Police say a male approached Mr Neary when he was dancing in Mr Smith's nightclub and, without warning or provocation, spat in his face.

Three or four men then physically manhandled Mr Neary through a fire door, near the lower dance floor, and subjected him to a brutal assault during which part of his ear was bitten off.

Mr Neary told the Guardian: "Doctors have told me that my ear could need two separate operations, over two years, and they'll have to graft skin from my ribs on to the damaged ear.

"I'm shocked about the attack because it was totally out of the blue. I don't remember anything about the attack after the man spat in my face, as I must have fallen unconscious."

Det Con Richard Langford said: "This was a particularly nasty attack but we feel sure that somebody must have witnessed the incident and would urge them to contact us."

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Richard Langford at Warrington CID on 652222.