DETECTIVES who have drawn a blank over the last movements of a critically-ill pensioner last night mounted a leaflet-drop appealing to the public for help.

Brian Sykes, who is still on a life support machine following a fall at his Darlington flat, told relatives before he slipped into a coma that he had been attacked three times on the same day.

Hundreds of leaflets have been handed out and posters put up along the route Mr Sykes may have taken.

The 65-year-old told relatives he had been drinking at the Nag's Head pub in Tubwell Row, Darlington, about lunchtime on Saturday, June 28, and said he had been attacked by three men in the toilets.

Later, he said, the same men attacked him again outside Bell's Store, in Clifton Road, and again when they followed him back to his flat in Hargreave Terrace, where he lived alone.

Mr Sykes, who was ill and on medication, was found unconscious in his flat three days later.

But a medical expert said last night that injuries on Mr Sykes' body were consistent with falls in the flat and in hospital, but there was no hard evidence that he had been attacked.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital but moved to Bishop Auckland General Hospital when his condition deteriorated.

So far, no evidence has been found to support Mr Sykes' story.

Detective Superintendent Dave Jones, who is leading the investigation, said: "The only information we have is vague and has come to us second-hand from people able to talk to Brian during moments of consciousness."

Detectives examining security camera footage have also drawn a blank.

Det Supt Jones said: "It is entirely possible he may have collapsed inside his flat that Saturday morning and remained there until his discovery the following Tuesday. A medical expert has advised us the marks found on his body were consistent with lying on the floor of his flat for several days."