A man has been left on a life support machine in hospital after a vicious street attack.

Ian Burdett, 34, of Undercliffe, was found with horrific head injuries lying on a grass verge near the Sunrise restaurant close to New Otley Road, Undercliffe.

He was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary then transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where last night he was in an intensive care unit.

Police are now trying to unravel the mystery as to why he was attacked.

Doctors have not yet been able to say when he will be able to talk to help detectives piece together the circumstances of what led to the assault. Detective Inspector Mabs Hussain, who is leading the Bradford South CID investigation, said there would be people who saw Mr Burdett earlier on the night of the attack, which happened at about 3.30am last Thursda, and could help their inquiry and he appealed for them to get in touch.

Det Insp Hussain said: “Ian was well known in the area. We believe he will have been in some of the pubs around that area before the assault but we’re not sure which ones. Someone will know and we want to hear from them.”

Mr Burdett’s mother has been left devastated at what has happened and is too distraught to talk, said Det Insp Hussain.

Two men, who have been arrested in connection with the assault, have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Anyone who saw Mr Burdett in the hours before the attack should contact Detective Sergeant Craig Lord at Bradford South CID on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.