A MAN is fighting for his life after sustaining serious head injuries in a late-night incident.

The 60-year-old married man, who has not been named, was found unconscious only yards from his home in Ivy Terrace, off Midhill Close, in Langley Park, near Durham, shortly before midnight on Tuesday.

He is thought to have been returning from a night out when he became involved in a dispute.

A police spokesman said: "He appeared to have been subjected to an assault of some kind and had received serious head injuries.

"Detectives cannot say exactly how his injuries were caused. They are investigating reports of an earlier dispute, believed to have taken place a short distance away in Lilian Terrace, at about 11.45pm."

An ambulance took the man to the University Hospital of North Durham and he was later transferred to Newcastle General Hospital. His condition was last night said to be critical, but stable.

Police cordoned off part of Ivy Terrace until about lunchtime yesterday, while crime scene investigators carried out a forensic examination of the area.

Two women, aged 43 and 19, from Lilian Terrace, were arrested early yesterday on suspicion of assault. They are being held at Consett Police Station and were last night due to be interviewed by detectives.

Detective Inspector Dave Wolfe, of Derwentside CID, urged witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Derwentside CID on (01207) 504204, or call Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.