Police investigating the assault on Terry Stevens said they have no idea why anyone would attack the darts-loving dad.

Senior investigating officer in the case, Det Insp Mark Garrett said: "These injuries are so horrific I believe a weapon was involved. We do not know for certain what kind.

"The victim is unable to provide an account of what happened because of his condition.

"We know Terry Stevens left The Windmill and went straight next door to the Tesco cashpoint at 11.23pm. He then walked about 150 metres along Worsley Road alone.

"He was found by a member of the public at 11.45pm.

"He was taken to the John Radcliffe hospital in a serious condition and was operated on to remove a blood clot from his brain.

"Whether he was followed as he went home or came across them further down the road we do not know.

"The motive and the circumstances are very vague."

The Swindon Advertiser is helping police in the appeal to find Terry's attackers.

Det Insp Garrett, pictured above, and the other officers in the case put up posters, produced by the Advertiser, in the area around the Freshbrook shops in the hope it will spur witnesses into coming forward.

"Worsley Road was very busy that night. There were a lot of people in the pub and car park," said Det Insp Garrett.

"We are appealing to the local community to help the police in this investigation and want anyone who was in the Worsley Road area between 10.45pm and 11.45pm or watching the rugby at The Windmill to come forward.

"Terry is being interviewed daily but has very little recollection of the attack."

CCTV footage showing Terry withdrawing cash from the machine at the Freshbrook shops, shortly before the attack, has also been released by the police and can be viewed on the Advertiser website, www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk.

Anyone witnesses or anyone with any information on the attack should call Swindon CID on 0845 408 7000.