A MAN is seriously ill in hospital after he was found collapsed and unconscious in a Bolton park.

The man, thought to be aged 45 to 50, was found on a pathway in the park, at the junction of Bradford Street and Bromwich Street, The Haulgh, at 9.45pm on Saturday.

He had what police described as a serious head injury and detectives are investigating how he came by the injury.

The man was discovered by a couple and a friend, who want to remain anonymous, and they called for an ambulance.

One of the men, aged 42, who lives Bromwich Street, said: “Me and my girlfriend were walking back from the shop when we found him lying on the ground with a head injury. He wasn’t moving or answering when we spoke to him.” The other man, aged 41, also of Bromwich Street, said: “We rang the ambulance straightaway when we found him. It looked like he had fallen over but there was a piece of wood next to him. We all wish him a quick recovery.

“I’ve not lived here long but I’ve not had an ounce of trouble or seen anything like that before.”

Police are appealing for witnesses who may be able to help trace the man’s movements to contact them.

He is white, slim and with greyish hair. He was wearing cream jeans, a green jacket, purple shoes and a blue and pink patterned jumper. The man was taken to hospital, and police said he is in “a poorly condition”.

Det Insp Gary Smith said: “We are working to establish what has happened to this man. We are keeping an open mind and are appealing to anyone who saw him tha night to get in contact. Were you in or around the park and saw a man matching this description, did you see him talk to anyone or did you witness how he came to suffer his injuries?”

Anyone with information can contact Bolton CID on 0161 8565740 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.