A prison officer remains in a critical condition after being punched in the face outside a pub.

The 35-year-old man, who is married with a young family, is described as critical but stable in the intensive care unit at Newcastle General Hospital.

He remains unconscious but has been taken off the ventilator.

The prison officer, who works at Durham's Frankland Jail, was off duty when he was attacked, at around 8.45pm on Tuesday.

He had been enjoying a drink with his wife in Yates's Wine Lodge, on Durham's North Road, when he became involved in a scuffle with a group of men.

After leaving the pub, he was punched in the face, and fell heavily to the ground.

Acting Detective Sergeant John Stadius, of Durham City CID, said the reason for the attack was unclear, and that it was likely to be some days before the victim could be interviewed.

On Wednesday, a 29-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, and taken to Durham City police station for questioning.

Today, he was released on bail pending further inquiries, to return to the police station in mid May.