A FATHER is lucky to be alive after he was hit over the head with an iron bar in broad daylight as he walked along the street with his girlfriend and baby daughter.

Jay Bailes, 28, had spent Saturday afternoon in Wibsey Park with his family and was walking home with his six-month-old daughter, Izabella, and girlfriend, Maddison, aged 20.

Mr Bailes, of Burnside Avenue, Shelf, turned right at the Prince of Orange Inn and says he was walking up Cooper Lane when someone hit him on the head from behind and left him with a gaping wound in his head.

He said: "I remember going to have a drink of my energy drink then something hit me really hard on the head.

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"It knocked me out for two or three seconds, then things went bright, I went dizzy and I couldn't open my eyes.

"My girlfriend was hysterical and was screaming and shouting for help.

"I think I was only hit once because if it had been twice I don't think I would be here now.

"The doctor who looked at me said I was very lucky to be here because people can die from a single punch.

"It feels like I have been in a car accident and I've got severe whiplash because the thing that hurts the most is my neck."

The ordeal has left Mr Bailes, an aluminium window fitter, scared to go out alone.

He added: "I'm going to be out of work for a little while.

"I'm worried to walk around the streets and for my daughter and girlfriend.

"I'm scared for their safety because if they can do it to me infront of my girlfriend and daughter, who is to say they wouldn't do something to them."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said no arrests have been made and enquries are continuing.

He added: "Officer PC428 Muskett would like to put out an appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything regarding yesterday's incident outside the Prince of Orange Inn on Cooper Lane."

"People are asked contact her on non-emergency number 101 at Halifax Police Station quoting crime reference number 13190191584."