SURGEONS were today battling to save the life of a man found by police with head injuries at his Accrington home.

The man, named by neighbours in St Leger Court as 34-year-old Paul Dixon, was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary shortly after 11pm yesterday.

He was immediately transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital, which has a specialist neurosurgical unit because of the extent of his injuries.

Detectives have launched an investigation into the incident, and have arrested a 23-year-old local man on suspicion of assault.

Police were called to the flat, where Mr Dixon is believed to live alone, after a neighbour heard a disturbance. He had told police that he heard noises followed by a loud bang and then nothing else.

Officers today said they expected Mr Dixon to undergo surgery, adding that his injuries were "life-threatening."

Detective Inspector Pete Broome, from Accrington CID, said: "He was conscious but with serious head injuries which were sufficiently serious for him to be taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where he was immediately sedated and then taken to the neurosurgical unit at Royal Preston Hospital.

"It is not known for certain how he came about those injuries although a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and will be questioned by detectives. The man's injuries are described as life-threatening."

Police have now appealed for anyone with any information on the attack to come forward.

Neighbours living in the complex of flats in St Leger Court today said they knew little about the incident, with some only discovering something had happened when they saw a police car parked in the road.

They said the street, off Plantation Street and close to Eastway, was a quiet area with few disturbances.

Anyone with information should the Accrington Police incident room on 01254 353741.