COMMUNITY leaders called on residents to come forward and identify the attackers who left a grandfather for dead in a Gwent street.

People in Blackwood reacted with horror over the weekend after the Argus published shocking pictures of 47-year-old Tyrone Watkins who was savagely beaten by thugs on Blackwood High Street.

Mr Watkins, from Cefn Fforest was set upon by a gang after trying to break up a fight near the Porters public house on December 27.

He remembers little of the attack but was left with a dislocated jaw, shattered nose, three breaks in his right eye socket, a fracture in his left eye socket and five fractures in his cheek.

Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said the attack had shocked the whole town.

"People are worried and people are scared because those who did this are still out on the streets.

"They cannot believe this has happened here.

Anti-social behaviour is starting to concern me and I must admit I fear for my town."

Fellow Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix added: "This was a horrific incident and I would urge anyone who witnessed it to search their conscience and come forward.

"I really hope somebody can help catch these people because we do not want them left in our community.

"It is absolutely deplorable."

The former engineer left the pub around 11.50pm and went out into the street where he saw two men jostling. As he began walking away he heard a scream and saw two young women fighting.

After stepping in to break up the fight he was grabbed from behind, thrown to the ground and remembers being repeatedly punched.

Mr Watkins has undergone hours of operations to rebuild and repair his shattered features.

His jaw remains wired and his face heavily bruised and swollen more than a month after the attack.

Anyone with information, who witnessed the attack or was in the vicinity at the time should contact Blackwood CID on 01633838111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.