THE family of a man left fighting for his life after a vicious attack pleaded last night for the public to help police catch the culprits.

Mark Connorton, who has a nine-year-old son, was found unconscious with severe head injuries in Redcar, east Cleveland, at 3am on Sunday.

The 37-year-old remained in a critical condition in Middlesbrough General Hospital yesterday.

Police believe Mr Connorton, of Marske, was attacked in Redcar's King Street in the early hours.

They have already appealed for anyone with information to come forward in a bid to track down the culprit or culprits.

Two women in their 30s who gave Mr Connorton first aid before an ambulance arrived have contacted police after a Press appeal. They were due to be interviewed by detectives yesterday.

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

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

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

Mr Connorton is divorced and works as an Information Technology consultant.

Police say the good weather meant there were likely to be people still on the streets about the time of the attack.

Detective Inspector Chris Garner said: "We are now satisfied he was the victim of an assault shortly before he was found. Even though it was about 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.