A FAMILY spoke of their grief last night at the loss of a gentle, caring student beaten to death during a night out.

Lee Walker, 22, who lived in the Denes area of Darlington, was found unconscious outside a pub in Skinnergate in the town on Monday night.

He suffered head injuries and was put on a life support machine in Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, but died on Wednesday night.

A post-mortem examination confirmed he had been the victim of an assault, and last night two men, aged 33 and 29, were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Earlier, Mr Walker's family spoke of the placid student who had countless friends, many of whom had visited him while he was in hospital.

His mother, Diane Walker, said: "He was loved by so many people. He is going to be missed so much."

The Luton University student, who was taking a gap year to work at government agency Capita, which has offices in Darlington, had ambitions to be a film director and was studying script and creative writing.

Mrs Walker said: "If any of his friends ever got hurt, he was always the one to take them to hospital or look after them. He was just so caring.

"He had so many dreams and wanted to be a film director. He was always on the computer writing scripts, and he was into music, particularly U2.

"He had loads of DVDs, had everything to do with films, and he was fanatical about Star Wars. He loved his films."

Lee's father, Neil Walker, who works at Cummins in Darlington, said: "It is such a waste of a young life and waste of his talent."

The family said that it was only last Monday that Mr Walker had been given a permanent contract at Capita. Previously it had been a monthly contract.

Mr Walker's younger sister, Stacey, a law student, said: "He was really pleased when he found out about that because it was the comfort of knowing that he had a job as long as he needed it, and he had regular pay coming in until he went back to Luton in September."

The former Hummersknott School pupil was found unconscious in Skinnergate after leaving the Barsize pub.

His friends managed to bring him round and he later made his way home, where his mother helped him to bed and monitored him throughout the night.

She said: "I was listening to him breathing. I was really worried about him, but we just didn't realise how badly he was injured."

Mr Walker was taken to hospital early on Tuesday after his mother found him collapsed on his bedroom floor.

Last night, Barbara Still, a teacher at Hummersknott School, said staff who remembered Mr Walker had been shocked by news of his death.

She said: "He was the nicest boy you could imagine. He was never in any trouble at school, he had a wide circle of friends, and he was very popular.

"He was quiet, but still outgoing and friendly, very unassuming and really an exemplary pupil. He was polite, always smiling, punctual - just a lovely, quiet boy.

"I think it is so sad what has happened because if he had got involved in anything like that I am positive that it would only be to help someone.

"Whatever has happened it has taken away a very promising future of a young lad, and his lovely family."

She said: "There are a lot of links with the school because a lot of the pupils have older brothers or sisters who were at school with Lee.

"I'm taking assembly and we will be remembering Lee and having a few quiet moments for him."

Police are appealing for anyone who was in or near Barsize at about 10pm on Monday to contact them.

Anyone who saw anything, or has any information, is asked to phone the incident room on (01325) 467681, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.