POLICE last night appealed for help to establish what happened to a student found unconscious with serious head injuries near to his university accommodation.

Durham University history student Peter Wake was last night said to be in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

He failed to regain consciousness after being found by a passer- by lying at the foot of concrete steps in a side street off Grape Lane, near the Elm Tree pub, in Crossgate, Durham, at 7.20am on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old undergraduate was taken to Durham's University Hospital of North Durham, before being transferred to Newcastle General Hospital.

Police know he was out with friends in Durham on Tuesday evening, leaving the Loveshack nightspot, off Claypath, just after midnight.

He was observed on the city centre closed-circuit television network walking across Milburngate Bridge, before going out of sight of the cameras at 12.06am, heading towards the roundabout at the top of North Road.

He was found about 30 metres from the student house he rents in Allergate.

His parents have travelled from their family home in Surrey to be at his hospital bedside.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Nail, of Durham City CID, said: "At this stage, we have no reason to think Peter was the victim of a crime, but we have to keep an open mind.

"We are trying to establish his movements between midnight and 7.30am on Wednesday.

"I would urge anyone who might have seen him between those times to contact us."

Mr Wake is described as 6ft and slim, with dark wavy hair.

On Tuesday night he was wearing a distinctive blue and white hooped short-sleeve shirt, with a rugby-type collar.

Durham University said he is a member of St John's College, where staff and students yesterday held a service to pray for his recovery.

A spokeswoman said: "The university is working with police to establish what happened to Peter and is appealing to students to come forward with any information."

She added that university staff have been in regular contact with Mr Wake's family to offer support.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Durham CID, on 0845-60-60-365.