POLICE have identified a young man found slumped unconscious in a Preston alleyway at the weekend.

Mark Lester, 17, from Penwortham, was seen by CCTV operators collapsed on the floor between the covered market and Ringway, near to Squires nightclub.

Police say the teenager had been on a works' night out at Solid nightclub on Great Shaw Street. Afterwards he walked to Squire's nightclub with a friend, where they went their seperate ways.

He was spotted on camera and an ambulance was called after he was found. At the time going to press he was in intensive care at Royal Preston Hospital, suffering from serious head injuries, but he had been taken off a ventilator on Tuesday.

Police believe he had been attacked early on Sunday, December 15, and are appealing for help from any witnesses. The young man was wearing a blue denim jacket with orange stitching, a black shirt and dark blue jeans and a black and silver belt.

Anybody with information should call Preston police on 203203.