A 24-YEAR-OLD man was left lying unconscious in Reading town centre after being seriously assaulted in the early hours of Sunday.

The Wokingham man was attacked following an altercation with a group of men at around 3.20am near the junction of Broad Street and Union Street. He was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage, and was being kept under close observation when The Midweek went to press.

Five men arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm have been bailed to appear at Loddon Valley police station on Sunday, April 22. Four are aged between 19 and 21 and from Maidenhead, while the other is 20, from Taunton, Somerset.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org