A MAN was left in intensive care after an assault outside a nightclub.

The 30-year-old television satellite engineer, from Peterlee, County Durham,was with friends at the Etc club, attached to the Peterlee Lodge Hotel, off Burnhope Way, when the attack happened, in the early hours of Sunday.

An argument broke out with another group of men, and both groups left the building, at about 1am.

They began fighting, and the victim was knocked down and repeatedly kicked and punched.

He was taken to the University Hospital of Hartlepool, where he was placed on a life support machine.

Later on Sunday, he regained consciousness and spoke to police officers, but no arrests have yet been made.

The man was badly bruised, but had no broken bones.

Detective Constable Brian Roberts, of Peterlee CID, said: "The club will have been fairly busy on Saturday night, and we want to hear from anyone who saw the fighting outside or the dispute inside.

"This was a violent assault which left a man unconscious, but could have been even more serious.

"The doctors were very concerned and much relieved when he woke up."

Witnesses are asked to ring the police, on 0191-586 2621, or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111.