CALNE factory engineer Duncan Haig, who was savagely beaten by a shovel-wielding builder outside his home, is moving away to escape the memories of his violent ordeal.

The father-of-two said he will never be able to forget the horrific attack because the scars on his head will be a constant reminder.

Mr Haig was born and brought up in Calne, but has decided he wants to make a fresh start with his family.

Although his wounds have healed, he does not feel anything can ever be the same for him.

Builder Michael Wells, of Oxford Road, Calne, knocked Mr Haig to the ground with a blow from his shovel, and then hit him with it again in the head and back, in a dispute over a blocked road in April. He was jailed for eight months.

Mr Haig, 32, of Bentley Grove, said he pleaded for the 52-year-old to stop because his daughter, Lucy, one, was watching from the garden.

He said she was normally a mummy's girl, but kept hugging him the day after the attack.

He also admitted the attack had changed him and damaged his confidence.

"I don't like having arguments at all now or confronting people," he said. "I have become a bit nervous and I'd rather not say anything to anyone. I'd rather just keep quiet.

"I'm wary of going to public places where there could be trouble, like pubs, and I'm more uncomfortable with strangers.

The family has put their home up for sale, but not yet decided where to go.

Mr Haig who has worked for HC Starck, in Calne for four years, said his family are not happy about the move, but understand the reason why he and his wife, Jeanette, are doing it.

He said: "It just doesn't seem the same anymore. I've lost confidence in the place. We have talked about moving away before, but not seriously. If it weren't for the attack we would probably have stayed here."

He said he was pleased his attacker had received a jail sentence.

"But I don't think he's going to change. He'll still have his job and can carry on as normal. I just don't want to run into him again and you're bound to in a small town like this."