A MAN was today in intensive care with serious head injuries after falling down drunk and hitting his head on the pavement in the early afternoon.

Witnesses said the man in his 30s was seen in an intoxicated state getting out of a taxi on Market Street Lane, Blackburn. He fell twice, hitting his head on the pavement on the second fall.

Customers from the ZY Bar went to the man's assistance and called for an ambulance.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where doctors said his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to intensive care.

A police investigation into the accident was launched and officers today said they were satisfied that nobody else was involved.

A police spokesman said: "Having made some inquiries we are satisfied that this man's injuries were caused by him falling down drunk and hitting his head.

"Officers have now been able to speak to him and he has no recollection of what happened or how he ended up in hospital.

"Due to the nature of his injuries he is still suffering some memory loss which has made identifying this individual and tracing his relatives difficult."

The incident happened at 1.45pm on Wednesday.

Licensee of the ZY Bar, in Market Street Lane, James Foley, saw the man fall.

Mr Foley himself is still recovering from a head injury after he was kicked in the head by Blackpool bouncer Barry Dowd, on May 15 2005.

Mr Foley was unconscious in intensive care for eight days following the assault.

He said: "We just saw the man get out of a taxi and fall over drunk. Customers went to help him and stayed with him until paramedics were called."

"Alcohol can have some serious effects on people depending on who is serving it. As licensees we must be responsible and stop serving customers if it is obvious that they have drunk too much."