A MAN struck his head on the pavement following an unprovoked attack outside a nightclub.

The 24-year-old victim was standing outside Vogue Nightclub near to JR Taxis in King Street at 5.15am on Sunday when he was punched in the face by a man who was not known to him.

The blow caused the victim to fall backwards and he hit his head on the pavement, fracturing his skull.

He is in a stable condition in hospital. The suspect fled on foot.

Det Sgt Paul Jackson said: “This was a cowardly and unprovoked attack on an innocent man enjoying himself with friends.

“The strength of the attack caused the victim to sustain serious head injuries and though he is now in a stable condition, the consequences could quite easily have been far worse.

“We are appealing for witnesses who may have been leaving the nightclub at the time or perhaps in the area at the time of the assault.”

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 85667225 , 0161 856 67292 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.