POLICE have named a man who was punched and knocked unconscious in unprovoked attack at the weekend.

Paul Clarke, 25, from Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, is in a critical but stable condition following the attack in Times Square, near the Centre for Life, Newcastle, in the early hours of Sunday, February 1.

Police believe a number of youths were responsible for assaulting five men in three incidents in the Times Square area at about the same time.

One of the attackers was described as white, early 20s, of slim to medium build, with ginger hair and a pock-marked face.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Thomson, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are appealing for help from the public to catch the people responsible for this very nasty, unprovoked attack on a young man."

He said officers would like to speak to the driver of the white Renault car, which was flagged down by one of the men believed to be involved in the assault, and a man said to have a Scottish accent who is believed to have been the first victim.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0191-214 6555.