THE family of a man fighting for his life after a vicious beating has pleaded for the public to help police catch the culprits.

Mark Connorton, 37, was found unconscious with severe head injuries on a Redcar street at 3am on Sunday. He was in a critical condition in Middlesbrough General Hospital yesterday.

Police believe Mr Connorton, of Marske, was attacked on King Street and want anyone with any information to come forward.

Two women in their thirties, who gave Mr Connorton first aid before an ambulance arrived, have contacted police after a press appeal.

Mr Connorton's mother, Olive Connorton, also of Marske, said her daughter had flown home from Florida to be by her brother's bedside.

She said: "This was a viscous attack on Mark and he has been unconscious since it happened. We just need someone to come forward. We really need some leads.

"I would like to thank the two ladies who did what they could for him."

Mr Connorton, who lives in Marske, has a nine-year-old son. He is divorced and works as an IT consultant.

Det Insp Chris Garner said police were trying to trace Mr Connorton's movements on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Officers have established he visited Marske Workingmen's Club early on Saturday evening before attending O Riley's gym in the town, leaving at about 9.30pm. However, they do not know where Mr Connorton went after that time.

Det Insp Garner said: "We are now satisfied he was the victim of an assault shortly before he was found.

"Even though it was around 3am there were plenty of people in the area wandering home from local nightclubs. We need to speak to everyone who was in and around King Street."

Anyone who has any information is asked to call either Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111 or Cleveland Police on (01642) 326326.