Officers are appealing for information as they investigate a serious assault in Newcastle.

Shortly before 10.30pm on Saturday, July 26, police received a report from the ambulance service of a man sustaining a serious head injury on St Andrews Street in the China Town area of the city.

It was reported that the man and a woman had been in an altercation with a small group of people when the man was then punched in the head and fell to the ground.

Emergency services attended the scene and the man – who is in his 50s – sustained serious head injuries which are believed to be life-threatening.

A full investigation has been launched by Northumbria Police into the incident, with a number of lines of enquiry carried out.

We know the city centre was particularly busy that day as it was Ladies Day at nearby Newcastle Racecourse.

We believe that the group had attended the event prior to coming into the city centre.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the report – three 19-year-old men, a 19-year-old woman, and a 17-year-old girl.

All five have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Officers are appealing to the public for information – and are keen to trace any witnesses who were in the area at the time.