4:23pm Monday 25th February 2008
By Nafeesa Shan
CCTV footage is being examined by police investigating an alleged attack on a 43-year-old Preston man in Darwen.
The man was found unconscious with serious head injuries when police were called to Darwen Bus Station, Church Street, shortly before midnight on Saturday.
The man had earlier attended a 21st birthday party for another Preston man, who is originally from Darwen, in the Bridgewater pub, Church Street.
He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with serious head injuries and has since been transferred to Royal Preston Hospital, where his condition is described as stable.
Police have spoken to the 43-year-old but enquires are continuing.
A 19-year-old man from Darwen was arrested nearby and has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Det Sgt Mick Cross, of Darwen CID, said: "We are carrying out a thorough investigation and I urge anyone with information about the incident to contact us.
"We believe the man may have been caught up in an earlier fight involving a number of people outside the bus station and nearby Bridgewater pub.
"At this stage we do not believe a weapon was used and we suspect the attack occurred outside the pub."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 quoting log reference number 462EQ/230208 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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