Reece Johnson, 23, was surrounded by a gang of 20 Asian youths as he walked with his girlfriend and young son Tyrel near to the entrance of Bobby Heywood Park in Great Lever, Bolton.

Mr Johnson, from Great Lever, said one of the gang shouted abuse at him before he was set upon. He was slashed across the left cheek, leaving him needing 68 stitches and scarred for life.

Mr Johnson believes he was the victim of a random revenge attack. Police are investigating the claim.

Labourer Mr Johnson, who needed 20 stitches inside his cheek and 48 outside, said: "My face is a mess but the fact is I’m very lucky to be alive. The doctors told me if the blade had continued another few millimetres then it would have hit my jugular vein. The doctor said another fingertip across my neck and that would have been it, I would have died.

"It’s unbelievable. I’m scarred for life now and people might look at me and think I’m just a violent thug."

Mr Johnson, who is recovering at his parents’ Great Lever home had returned to Bolton from a day out with friends in Blackpool when he was attacked.

Mr Johnson said the gang hurled abuse at him, his son and his partner before he was attacked.

Police confirmed officers were called to the park. A police spokesman said: "The 23-year-old man had been out with his girlfriend when he was confronted by a group of up to 20 youths. An argument broke out and during this, the man was slashed across the left cheek, suffering a six-inch wound."

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