POLICE are continuing to appeal for witnesses to a fight outside Swindon MECA which put a 31-year-old man in hospital with serious head injuries on Friday.

Before dawn on Friday morning, emergency services were called to Prince’s Street after the man was found on the pavement.

Police attended just after 5.15am and officers cordoned off an area of the pavement while preliminary inquiries took place.

The man, from Brecon in Powys, Wales, was rushed to Great Western Hospital for treatment.

He remains there today in a stable condition and police are appealing for any witnesses who were in the area at the time to come forward.

Forensic officers scoured the area before the cordon was lifted at around midday.

After initial inquries it emerged that the man had been standing outside the MECA when he became involved in a fight with a group of men and women.

A force spokesman said: “Wiltshire Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Swindon.

“The incident took place on the morning of Friday, January 23, just after 5am outside the MECA (Music Entertainment Cutural Arena) in the Regent Circus area of the town.

"A 31 year-old man from Brecon, Wales, was stood outside the MECA when he became involved in an altercation with a group of men and women.

“The man was assaulted during the altercation and suffered serious head injuries. He was taken to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and is currently in a stable condition.

“Officers would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or have any information that may lead to the identification of any of the group involved in the altercation.”

Inquiries into the incident are proceeding and no arrests have yet been made.

The assault is not connected in any way to the Swindon MECA where the victim was found.

Justin Britchford, senior partner at Swindon MECA, said: “This incident was nothing to do with our club and it is unfortunate that it has happened on our steps.

“We were not open at the time that this happened so it was not connected with Swindon MECA in any way, and did not involve any of our customers.’’

Anyone with information about the incident, or was in the area of Regent Circus at the time, should contact Swindon CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.