POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was attacked in the street in Prestwich.

At around 11.10am on Wednesday, a 53-year-old man was approached in Leach Street by a man who punched him in the head, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the pavement.

The victim was knocked unconscious before the offender called for an ambulance.

The victim was then taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and has been released on police bail until June 10.

Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses.

Detective Inspector John Stainton of Greater Manchester Police’s Bury Borough said: “A man has been left in a critical condition in hospital and I am appealing to anyone who saw what happened to get in touch with police.

“If you were in the area at the time and saw how the events unfolded, contact us as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 8204, 101 quoting incident number 743 17/05/17, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.