A MAN is fighting for his life after being clubbed across the head with a baseball bat by an attacker wearing overalls, it is believed.

Police patrolling the area discovered the 42-year-old victim, who has not been named, on a grassy patch of land on Weatherhead Avenue in Middlesbrough at about 7.45pm last night (THURS).

He was taken to James Cook University Hospital in the town where he being treated for serious head injuries in intensive care.

The crime scene in Whinney Banks was cordoned off with tape by Cleveland Police this morning and officers were combing the grass for evidence with wooden sticks. No one has yet been arrested in connection with the savage attack.

“There are lots of rumours flying around but I have heard that the attacker was wearing a mask and overalls and hit a man sitting on a bench with a baseball bat,” said Kamer Ajaib, a sales assistant at Premier Stores on Acklam Road located opposite where the incident happened.

“I don’t think the man hurt was from around here.

“This is a nice area, there is a school just over there and children have had to walk past the police tape this morning.

“It is shocking that an attack can happen on your doorstep. Whoever he is I hopes he makes a full recovery.”

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said the victim suffered life threatening injuries.

She said: “At 7.43pm on Thursday night police discovered a male with serious head injuries on Weatherhead Avenue, Middlesbrough.

“The male is in the intensive care unit at Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.The 42-year-old is in a very serious condition with life threatening injuries,” she said.

“A team of officers are working in the vicinity so local people will see a police presence in the area."

Anyone who witnessed the assault or has information is asked to call the non emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.