Asa Freeman, 32AN attack on a well-known Trowbridge man has left the community shocked as he fights for his life in hospital.

Asa Freeman, 32, suffered severe head injuries during an incident in Silver Street on Saturday night.

The former St Augustine's Catholic College pupil, who works at Safe and Sound, Church Walk, has not regained consciousness since the attack and was yesterday still in a critical condition at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

He was on a night out with friend Jason Delaney, who is the manager of the Alldays store in Pembroke Road, Melksham when a scuffle broke out.

Mr Freeman was allegedly punched and knocked to the ground, hitting his head on the ground.

One of the first people on the scene was student nurse Lucy Dunford, who works part-time at the nearby Trowbridge Snooker Club.

She said: "There wasn't much I could do. I kept him comfortable until the ambulance arrived. It was very scary."

Mr Freeman grew up in Bradford on Avon and has many friends in the town as well as in Trowbridge.

Close friend Myra Hayes, who works at Virgin Mobile, said: "He's a fun-loving person who wouldn't mean any harm to anybody.

"He is always laughing and joking and always tried to make people laugh."

Former St Augustine's pupil Lisa Wrintmore said: "He's always been a really nice chap. So many people know him because he is so friendly and makes an effort with everybody. He's a really jolly chap that everybody knows and likes."

His mother Diane, who owns Body Beautiful in Church Walk, Trowbridge, and father David, who live at Winsley Road, Bradford on Avon and brother, Silas, of Staverton, have been at his bedside.

Silver Street was closed as paramedics and police tended to Mr Freeman and the air ambulance was called in to take him to hospital.

Friend Simon Moss, who works at Tattoo World, Church Street was also on a night out in the town and came out of the Snooker Club just after the incident to find the road closed.

He said: "I was really shocked the next day when I found out about Asa."

Police have launched an urgent appeal for anyone in the area at the time or people who witnessed the assault to come forward.