DETECTIVES have opened a special hotline as they search for witnesses to a violent attack which has left a man fighting for his life.

The dedicated phone line means that people will be able to leave messages and information 24-hours a day with officers or on the answer machine.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: “Detectives investigating a serious assault in Hartlepool in the early hours of Sunday, October 5, in which a 32-year-old man received serious head injuries, have set up a dedicated phone line for people to provide information.

“The phone has an answer machine capability for messages to be left.”

The victim was attacked in Victoria Road, close to its junction with York Road, in Hartlepool, at around 4am on the morning of Sunday, October 5.

He suffered head injuries in the incident and is fighting for his life in the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

Anyone who has any information is asked to ring the witness line on 01642-302191 or alternatively through independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.