A Kosovan refugee was in a critical condition last night following a brawl with a group of white men.

The 30-year-old man, who was with another Kosovan in his 20s, suffered serious head injuries in the fracas in Middlesbrough town centre.

It began inside the Royal Exchange pub, Exchange Place, in the early hours of yesterday, (tue) and spilled out onto the street. Both Kosovans were taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital, the younger man with minor facial injuries, where they are being detained.

Police believe a group of four or five white men were responsible for the assaults, in which a weapon was used.

They are thought to have left in a white car, possibly a Vauxhall Vectra taxi. Police are hoping to trace the car's driver and believe there would have been several witnesses to the incident.

Yesterday, the area outside the pub was cordoned off as forensic tests were carried out both inside and outside.

A police spokesman said it was too early to say if the incident was racially motivated. Daoud Zaaroura chief executive of the North of England Refugee Service expressed regret over it.

"It's a very upsetting incident, regardless of the reasons behind it," he said. "These were two vulnerable people and if it was racially motivated, it should be dealt with as such. "It doesn't reflect the generally supportive environment in Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley."

Any witnesses to the fight, at around 1.30am, should contact police on (01642) 303126.