A MAN lay critically ill, yards from where children were playing at a festival.

The 24-year-old was found semi conscious from a suspected drugs overdose in bushes, close to a children's bouncy castle at the height of the Asian Mela celebrations in Middlesbrough's Albert Park at the weekend.

Cleveland Police are appealing to visitors to the festival for sightings of the man taking drugs.

A search of the area where he was found revealed what police describe as drugs paraphernalia and a syringe.

The man,who is from the town's Whinney Banks estate and has not been, was placed on a ventilator when he was admitted to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, on Sunday night.

His condition was reported to be stable, yesterday.

Anyone who can help police trace the man's movements is asked to contact the force on (01642) 302126.