A PENHILL man who is fighting for his life may have been battered around the head with a piece of wood.

The 45-year-old man is currently in a critical condition at the Great Western Hospital.

He is awaiting transfer to a specialist neurological unit for surgery.

He was subjected to a brutal assault and discovered lying unconscious in Chippenham Walk at around 11.25pm on Tuesday.

Shortly after police arrived, a 40-year-old man from the Penhill area was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

He was in custody at Westlea police station awaiting interview as the Advertiser went to press last night. Officers have searched the area, and house-to-house enquiries have been carried out to see if there are any witnesses to the attack.

DC Paul Hacker, of Swindon CID, said: "We are making enquiries to establish the sequence of events leading up to the vicious assault.

"We are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Chippenham Walk and Ramsbury Avenue, Penhill, between 11.00pm and 11.30pm. on Tuesday to come forward.

"We want to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the assault or saw any suspicious activity in the area."

Contact DC Hacker on 01793 528111 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.