TWO men were attacked by a group of men with a machete following a night out.

The victims, both aged 19 from Skelmersdale, were chased by a gang of about eight men and women as they left the Pier Nightclub in Wigan shortly after 3am on Saturday.

They had a bottle thrown at them and were attacked and hit with machete before they got into a taxi on Swan Meadow Road and went to hospital.

Both were treated for injuries to their back, head, arms and face and are now recovering at home.

Det Sgt Graham Rigby of Wigan CID said: "This was a totally violent attack that seems to be totally unprovoked.

"I cannot speculate on a motive as to why these two men were attacked, but we will not tolerate violence of this severity and these men must be caught.

"Both victims are fortunate not to have suffered even more severe injuries.

"I would appeal to anyone who may have seen the men leaving the nightclub, or being attacked by the gang, to contact police."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Wigan CID on 0161 856 5307, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.