A 27-YEAR-OLD man was last night fighting for his life after suffering severe head injuries in an assault at the weekend.

A police spokesman said the man was believed to have been in a disturbance involving up to 20 men and woman in Sunderland on Sunday morning.

The man, who lives locally, was found at the junction of Paton Road and Purley Road in the Plains Farm area of the city. Police said he had been assaulted and knocked to the ground. His condition was last night described as critical.

A man has been arrested. Witnesses are asked to contact police on 0191-454 7555 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111