The father who had both ears sliced off in an horrific machete attack 'while protecting his son from bullies' has died in hospital, his family has confirmed.

Sajed Choudry, 42, was left in a coma after the violent assault on him and and his son Ahsan Choudry, 24, in November.

The horrific image of Mr Choudry Snr lying in his hospital bed wrapped in bandages after skin graft operations to reattach his ears were greeted with shock last month.

Today his family confirmed that he lost his fight for life this afternoon, the Lancashire Telegraph reported.

His condition further deteriorated after he developed a large blood clot in his heart.

Earlier today another of his sons, Mohsan Choudry, 20, was excused a court appearance over charges of possession of a knife and damaging a car tire after magistrates heard his father was not expected to survive the day.

Gareth Price, defending, said Mohsan Choudry had attended court but was anxious to be at his father's side.

Sajed Choudry, 42, has died. He was left in a coma after the violent assault on him and and his son in late November

Mr Price said: 'His uncle is at hospital and he has told me this morning there are grave concerns that Mr Choudry senior may not last the day.'

Mr Choudry is in a coma after having both ears cut off, and suffering a collapsed right lung and a bleed on the brain.

The father-of-four underwent a 14-hour operation to have his ears re-attached, using a skin graft from his legs to complete the surgery.

He remained unable to breathe on his own was put on a life-support machine.

Mariya Choudry, Sajed's daughter, said the family are in shock about the attack, which took place on the quiet street where they live in Blackburn, at 10.30pm on Tuesday November 27.

Speaking at his bedside last week, Ms Choudry, 22, said: 'It all stems from my brother having problems at school with bullies.

'My father was first attacked six months ago. On Tuesday night Ahsan went out at around 10.30pm to go to the shop for some cigarettes.

'When he was on his way back my dad heard screaming, he looked on the CCTV and saw him getting stabbed up. He ran out to help.'

Mr Choudry's daughter said her father (pictured) was first attacked six months ago when he went to help his son fight off bullies

In 15 years on the street in Blackburn where they live, and where the attack took place, the family said they had never experienced anything like this

Mariya told how her father was a 'community man', and an active member of Neighbourhood Watch.

'At the moment, the doctors are trying to reduce my dad's medication to see if they can bring him out of the coma, but it is a slow process,' she said. 'All we can do is hope.'

Sajed's son Ahsan also remains in hospital after having half of his hand cut off and suffering cuts to his head.

Previously Mariya, a healthcare worker, said she had remained by her father's bedside since he went into hospital. Her mother and her two younger brothers are incredibly upset.

She said last week: 'I feel totally numb right now. I can't describe how I feel. I have lived on that street for 15 years and have never seen anything like it.

'He's really unwell and we don't know what is going to happen with him. On Saturday my father stopped breathing and they had to fit a life-support machine.

'My mum has let me stay here because I am strong enough to cope with how he is.

'She is trying to remain strong for the family, but she is finding it really hard. She is broken. She does not know what to do with herself.'

Four people, Sadaqat Ali, 36, of Rhyl Avenue, Blackburn, Rafaqat Ali, 38, of Tenby Close, Blackburn and Fazal Ilhai, 62, also of Tenby Close, and a 13-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have all been charged with two counts of attempted murder.

They are due to appear before Preston Crown Court on Monday, December 17.