A YOUNG man was today fighting for his life after being beaten up outside a nightclub.

Christopher Anderton, 21, of Fell Brow, Longridge, was discovered lying at the back of Tokyo Joe's nightclub, Preston, with serious head injuries.

Paramedics were called to the rear of the nightclub in Church Street at just after 12.30am on Saturday night by police who found him.

Christopher was taken by ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital. He was today said to be in a "critical" condition in intensive care.

His parents, who live at the same address, were believed to be at their son's bedside.

A spokesman for Lancashire Ambulance said: "We were called to the scene at Tokyo Joe's by police and picked up a male patient from that location. He was transferred to hospital and the police dealt with it from there." Police said three people had been arrested following the assault but were later released without charge.

Insp Stuart Coates, Lancashire Police's force incident manager, said inquiries would continue in a bid to trace witnesses.

Detectives from Preston CID led by Det Insp Ian Ronald are investigating the attack and urged any witnesses or anybody with information to call them on 01772 203 203 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.